Irene Trevino Killed; Oscar Trevino, Children Injured by Alleged DWI Driver on Highway 495 in Mission, TX
UPDATE (January 23, 2023): The woman killed in this accident has been identified as Irene Trevino. Her husband, Oscar Trevino, remains in critical condition. The status of their children, also hurt in the accident, is unclear.
The driver who struck the Trevinos' vehicle, Jose Martin Vela, was arrested on numerous charges after his release from an area hospital.
Mission, TX — January 16, 2023, a woman died and her family was injured when their vehicle was hit by a suspected drunk driver on Highway 495 in Mission.
Authorities say the incident happened around 12:45 a.m. on Highway 495 at Mayberry Street. Preliminary reports suggest a GMC Yukon was allegedly traveling south at high speeds on Mayberry when the driver ran a red light and crashed into the victims' eastbound Ford Explorer.
A woman in the Ford was pronounced dead at the scene; her husband and their three teenaged children were transported to an area hospital with injuries ranging from serious to critical.
After the collision the suspect allegedly fled on foot but was located a few hours later. Police indicated he showed signs of intoxication and charges were pending his release from the hospital.
The investigation continues. No further information is currently available.
It seems police strongly believe the suspect in this accident was intoxicated. I certainly have no reason to disbelieve that, and if clear proof confirms their suspicions then his drunk driving and the pain he caused obviously warrant stern consequences. Drunk driving is a terrible plague on Texas roads, and those who engage in it deserve harsh lessons. However, they may not be the only ones who should face repercussions.
As unfortunately common as drunk drivers seem to be, it's also common for them to take to the streets after alcohol vendors like bars or clubs negligently and illegally over-serve them. Texas law says those businesses may be responsible for any injuries their over-served customers cause after stumbling out their doors, yet too often they never see so much as a slap on the wrist despite being instrumental to a terrible accident.
Is it possible such a violation was involved in Mission? Only time and further investigation could say. The apprehended driver certainly seems to deserve a reckoning for his choices, but if a local bar helped him make those decisions then it shouldn't escape responsibility for changing a family's lives forever. I just hope authorities keep that in mind during their continued search for answers.
