16-Year-Old Accused Of Killing 4, Injuring 9 In Drunk Driving Accident

A 16-year-old Texas boy has been charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter after he was involved in a car accident back in June that left four people dead and nine others injured.

At a hearing this month, he was allowed to stay with his parents, rather than in a juvenile facility, until his trial begins. He must wear an ankle monitoring bracelet, however.

According to KHOU Houston, the boy was driving through Tarrant County when he struck a church vehicle that had stopped to help a woman who had gotten a flat tire. The resulting collision killed a youth pastor, a mother and daughter who attended the pastor’s church and the 24-year-old woman who had gotten the flat tire. Nine other people who were also on the scene were badly hurt.

Authorities say the boy was driving between 68 and 70 mph in a 40 mph zone and had a BAC of 0.24 at the time of the accident. In Texas, the legal limit is 0.08.

If the boy is convicted on all counts, he could spend as many as 20 years in prison.

In a situation like this, the objective of the boy’s defense team is likely not to prove him innocent (presuming he did, of course, cause the deadly collision, and we do not yet know that he did). Rather, the defense counsel’s job will likely entail carefully reviewing the facts and circumstances of this incident, making sure the charges fit what actually happened, and then working to ensure a just and fair sentence (again, assuming that one is merited). This way, the defense counsel will be carrying out our justice system’s belief that everyone deserves a zealous advocate and the full and fair benefit of one’s day in court.

If you are ever accused of drunk driving, you may want to speak with an attorney to ensure that your rights are respected. You are free to contact us at any time.