HOUSTON (Gray News) – A Texas family says their lives have changed forever after a 7-year-old girl was killed and her mother critically injured in a crash with a suspected drunken driver.
Christina Quainoo was driving in Houston early Sunday with her 7-year-old daughter, Ivory Smith, when authorities say a man allegedly driving drunk ran a red light and slammed into their car. Ivory was killed, and her mother was critically injured, KHOU reports.
Ivory was a second grade student at Klenk Elementary School. Her family told KTRK she was the life of the party, full of personality and loved gymnastics.
“Ivory brought so much light into our lives in her short time with us, and we will forever cherish the joy and love she gave so freely,” wrote Ivory’s aunt, Sharonda Collins, on a GoFundMe page set up to help the family.
Meanwhile, Quainoo is still in the hospital. She faces a long recovery process and will need to relearn how to walk, according to KTRK. But her family say that’s nothing compared to the pain of losing her only child.
“She’s not good. She lost her only child. She’s never gonna be good anymore. Her life has changed. Our lives have changed,” Collins told KHOU.
Deputies with the Harris County Constable’s Office identified the suspected driver as 41-year-old Joel Gonzalez Chacin. They say he “displayed multiple signs of intoxication.” He is facing a charge of intoxication manslaughter, and his bond has been set at $150,000, according to Constable Mark Herman.
Investigators say after the crash, instead of trying to help the victims, Chacin got out of his car and took pictures of the scene, KHOU reports.
“He has no conscience because he got out, and he didn’t assist,” Collins said.
She and other family members attended Chacin’s bond hearing Tuesday. They are calling for legislative reform and tougher punishment when it comes to drinking and driving.
“The laws need to change,” Collins told KPRC. “The penalties for drinking and driving are not stiff enough, and it’s why this keeps happening. We need to fight to make sure no other family goes through this.”
If Chacin posts bond, he will be turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to KHOU. Authorities say he is on an ICE hold because is not a U.S. citizen.
If convicted, he could face anywhere from two to 20 years in prison.
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