Two young lives were cut short in a week’s time—all because of the action of two people allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
"Here in Texas, we actually see more fatalities involving DWI then we see murders throughout the year," Edinburg Police Officer Balde Gomez told Action 4 News.
Belinda April Cruz is accused of crashing into an Edinburg couple as they waited for a light to change at Schunior and Jackson road.
The 24-year-old was charged with intoxication manslaughter after Michelle Lynette Guerrero died on impact.
According to police Cruz’s blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, registering at 0.30.
"We do have drivers in the Valley that get arrested and when they take a breathalyzer test they're actually at a much higher level....double and tripling the dangers that they're putting the public in," Gomez said.
In another tragic case, an illegal immigrant was killed after the car he was in hit a van head on.
Police determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
He will be charged with intoxication manslaughter as soon as he is released from the hospital.
To get a better idea of the reaction time of someone under the influence and pushing the legal limit, Action 4 News put on the DWI goggles.
After several tasks to test sobriety, Officer Balde Gomez informed Action 4 News that they failed.
He said the goggles are an all too real account of how people actually behave when they are intoxicated and behind the wheel.
"Imagine someone under those conditions, that we just saw, getting behind the wheel of a car and driving," Gomez said. "This is why people lose their lives in DWI related accidents."
Gomez hopes with more education---people will think twice before destroying innocent lives.
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