A heartbreaking tragedy has struck a Houston family as 7-year-old Ivory Giselle Smith was killed by an alleged drunk driver who ran a red light and crashed into her family’s car.
The crash also left Ivory’s mother, Christina Quainoo, critically injured, with a long and difficult recovery ahead.
Ivory, a 2nd-grade student at Klenk Elementary School, was sitting in the back seat of the car when the crash occurred. She succumbed to her injuries, leaving her family devastated.
Christina, who was driving, suffered severe injuries and now faces the daunting challenge of relearning how to walk. Ivory’s aunt, Sharhonda Collins, shared the emotional toll the family has endured, telling Click 2 Houston:
“Her life has changed. Our lives have changed. She’s never going to be the same.”
The accident occurred while the family was on their way home after visiting Ivory’s grandmother. In an emotional statement, Collins spoke of Ivory’s bright spirit, writing on a GoFundMe page:
“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.”
The driver of the other vehicle, 41-year-old Joel Gonzalez Chacin, was arrested at the scene. Authorities say Chacin showed multiple signs of intoxication when officers arrived.
“He got out and started taking pictures of the crash instead of rendering aid,” said an official from the Harris County Vehicular Crimes Division. “It’s behavior we’ve never encountered before.”
Chacin faces charges of intoxication manslaughter and was granted a $150,000 bond, with strict conditions that include alcohol testing and a driving ban. However, he remains in custody due to an ICE hold.
The family has voiced frustration with the legal process, feeling that Chacin should not have been granted bond.
“The laws need to change,” Collins said. “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.”
This devastating incident serves as a reminder of the real-world consequences of driving under the influence, and the family’s call for stronger laws and penalties in the wake of their tragedy.
