Two families in El Paso had to experience Christmas with the stunning loss of loved ones due to the foolish decision of one man to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking.
Joel Garcia, who is an amateur boxer in Texas, was arrested on three counts of intoxication manslaughter after driving through a red light going 90mph on Christmas Eve and plowing into a 2004 Pontiac that was carrying brothers Isaiah and Joshua Deal and Joshua’s girlfriend Shannon Del Rio. All three people in the Pontiac died. Meanwhile, Garcia and a passenger in his car were treated for only minor injuries.
Garcia now faces up to sixty years in jail for his crimes, and it turns out his habit of driving after consuming alcohol is not a new one as he already has two previous arrests for drinking and driving. This history only compounds the horror of what Garcia did on December 24; he apparently did not learn a thing from his encounters with the law.
While tragedies such as the one being felt by the Deal and Del Rio families seem to be more emotionally charged when they occur around the holidays, losing someone to another person’s criminal decision to drink and then attempt to operate a vehicle is unthinkable any day of the year. It is an act for which the individual responsible must pay heavily both in time served and restitution, although no compensation could be considered sufficient.
At Bertolino LLP, we have attorneys who specialize in working with those who have been victims of drunk drivers. If you have been in an accident caused by another’s poor choices, or if you have lost a loved one, we want to help you get all that you deserve. We will stand by you and fight tirelessly for help for your injuries, your property damage, loss of employment, and all other damages you have experienced. Please contact our offices today and let us get to work for you.
Call or text (512) 476-5757 or complete a Case Evaluation form
