Rashawn Richard, Jason De Los Santos, Andre Garcia Killed in Alleged DWI Accident in Harris County, TX
UPDATE (April 3, 2023): Authorities identified the victims killed in the crash. They were 26-year-old Rashawn Richard, 21-year-old Jason De Los Santos, and Andre Garcia. Details about the pending charges require further investigation.
Harris County, TX — March 31, 2023, three people were killed due to an alleged drunk driver accident just after midnight along the East Freeway in Channelview.
Investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Department said the incident happened just before 12:30 a.m. along the eastbound lanes of East Freeway near the Magnolia Street intersection.
Three people were said to be along the shoulder of the freeway behind an Infiniti G37. The vehicle had its emergency lights on at the time. While they were there, a driver in a Chevy Tahoe apparently left the freeway, went onto the shoulder, and crashed into the Infiniti. In the process, the Tahoe hit all three pedestrians, killing them.
The driver of the Tahoe is accused of driving drunk at the time of the accident. Reports show pending charges for Intoxication Manslaughter. The accident is still under investigation.
It's disheartening enough see reports of yet another alleged drunk driving accident take lives in our state. If the allegations here prove to be true, seeing it happen once again in Harris County only makes things that much more exhausting. I talk to families down there all the time who are just sick and tired of seeing drunk driving accidents devastate their community. As frustrating as it is, there's only so much authorities can do once it comes to holding an allegedly drunk driver accountable for their actions. But that doesn't mean there are no other possible avenues to help make our roads safer.
There are plenty of steps that members of the community besides local prosecutors can take to help their community. Understanding and encouraging the use of public transit and ride-share apps, investigating negligent bars and restaurants that over-serve their customers or liquor stores that break the law, working with local advocacy groups and social programs concerning substance abuse, and discussing possible changes with local representatives are all examples of tools that can help aid in our constant struggle against these terrible accidents.
Three people lost their lives here, and their loved ones are now going through something I still can't adequately put into words despite seeing countless other similar incidents throughout my career. Those families deserve to get answers, and they deserve to know there is going to be accountability for the devastation brought on them by someone's reckless, senseless actions. Part of that accountability could mean more than just seeing a driver behind bars.
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