Austin Texas Police Chief Art Acevedo
DWI crashes are completely avoidable. Police Chief Art Acevedo says drinking and driving happens every day and night in Austin.
“I can’t tell you how many tragic scenes I’ve been to where people have needlessly lost their lives, their freedom and, in some instances, their limbs, their ability to walk and talk, because they made the choice to drink and drive,” said Acevedo.
This surveillance video is from a recent DWI crash at a south Austin 7-11.
Arrest reports show the driver, 51 year-old Dorina Sandoval, admitted to smoking a joint before driving.
It also reveals two 40 ounce bottles of Olde English malt liquor were in the backseat.
We did some research and found out Dorina Sandoval has some priors on her record-possession of a controlled substance, without a prescription and driving with an invalid license.
She pled guilty and no contest to both offenses.
Acevedo said, “We have one of the largest state universities in the country…People come here from all over the nation and the world to party and sometimes people use bad judgment.”
On December 25th, 2013, this mother did not use good judgment.
Jessica Hernandez ended up crashing her SUV into a utility pole, with her two year-old son in the backseat.
Police say she was drunk, telling officers her son was, “100 and a half” years old.
“When you look at fatal incidents, fatal crashes that again, are avoidable, DWI in this city is still playing a significant role,” said Acevedo.
This DWI crash on February 4th, took the lives of two people.
40-year-old Melissa Marshall was the driver behind the wheel.
Acevedo said, “We’re going to continue with our no refusal initiatives …Read more: