Police have officially charged 35-year-old Elia De La Cruz with intoxication manslaughter. Her bail is currently set at $50,000.
This charge stems from an accident that occurred on February 8. Police were called to an accident on W. Highway 83 in Rio Grande City. On the scene, they found that a vehicle had rear-ended a garbage truck. There were two people pinned inside the car.
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The reports from the accident stated both victims in the car had to be removed through the windshield. Once extricated they were taken to the hospital. They were identified as De La Cruz and 8-year-old Maria Leah Gonzalez.
The police later found out that their relationship as mother and daughter.
Shortly after getting to the hospital, Gonzalez was pronounced dead from the injuries she sustained in the accident.
According to the police, De La Cruz had been traveling at an extremely high rate of speed prior to rear-ending the garbage truck.
It was not made clear if De La Cruz or Gonzalez were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.
After the extrication, they found two cans of beer inside the vehicle. They had also noticed the strong smell of alcohol coming from De La Cruz after the accident.
Gonzalez was a third-grade student at General Sanchez Elementary School. The school made counselors available to staff and students after her death.
An intoxication manslaughter charge in the state of Texas is a second-degree felony. If De La Cruz is convicted, she could be facing prison time that ranges from 2 to 20 years. She will also be eligible for a fine of $10,000.
Officials have not released if she has acquired an attorney for the charge brought against her.