TABC investigating fatal Gulf Freeway wreck
Authorities searching for answers in crash that killed mom, baby
A state agency is investigating where an underage woman might have obtained alcohol before she allegedly caused the deaths of a mother and her 9month-old baby in a drunken driving accident last week.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which licenses retailers and restaurants to sell alcohol, is working with local officials on the case. A Harris County prosecutor said there was evidence that the accused driver was coming from an establishment that serves alcohol, not a home.
Veronica Rivas, 20, was charged with intoxication manslaughter in the deaths of Shayla Joseph and her 9-month-old daughter in a car wreck in the Clear Lake area on Feb. 28.
The victims were in a dark compact car that was hit from behind by an SUV, allegedly driven by Rivas at a high rate of speed, on the southbound service road of Gulf Freeway at El Dorado, police said. Authorities arrived just before 4 a.m. and saw that Joseph and her baby were killed in the wreck.
Rivas was released two days later on $60,000 bail The conditions of her release included a ban on driving and home confinement unless she has to go to court. She also has to wear a GPS monitor to ensure she does not leave her home without permission.
The commission is investigating where Rivas got the alcohol she allegedly drank that night, spokesman Chris Porter said. At this point, no locations have been identified, he said.
Early tests showed that Rivas had a blood-alcohol level of .21, almost three times the legal limit of .08 for an adult, according to a county prosecutor. There is no legal limit for a person under age 21.
If an establishment is found to have sold Rivas alcohol, it could be made to pay a civil fine or it could have its license to sell alcohol temporarily suspended, Porter said. An establishment that has faced similar problems multiple times before could have its license canceled outright.
The employee who sold alcohol to Rivas also could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, Porter said.