Driving while intoxicated is never a good idea. Doing so with minor children in the car is an even worse idea. A woman from Silsbee was recently indicted for driving while intoxicated with several minors in her car.
The allegations
According to the initial police report, the defendant found herself in a traffic jam on I-10 about 1/10 of a mile behind a crash that involved a fatality. In the probable cause affidavit, police officers found the defendant in the drivers’ seat of a 2021 Mazda SUV. Police also claim that the woman was carrying three children ages 5 through 14 in the back seat. The suspect admitted to striking the vehicle in front of her before she was able to come to a full stop in the backed-up traffic. When she attempted to back up, she struck the car behind her.
When police interviewed the driver, they said that her speech was slurred, that her breath contained the aroma of alcohol, and that her pupils were dilated. When the woman walked to the front of the patrol vehicle, officers claimed that she had a “hard time balancing.” The woman admitted to drinking alcohol in Houston before heading for her home in Silsbee. The woman also said that she took prescribed Valium. When they searched the vehicle, police allegedly found a pill bottle containing Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone. The woman was arrested for three counts of driving while intoxicated with a child passenger under 16 and possession of a controlled substance.
Evaluation
This case presents some very serious charges. If the defendant is convicted, she could face severe restrictions on her driving privileges, and she may even be sentenced to incarceration and a fine. Anyone facing similar charges may wish to consult a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney for an evaluation of the facts and assisting in establishing a convincing defense.