EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Nearly four years after investigators said a drunk driver killed 28-year-old El Paso resident Steven Hernandez, his mother said repeated delays in the case have forced her family to relive the loss again and again.
Records show the woman charged in the case, Valeria Mena, had been arrested for DWI twice before.
In 2023, investigators said Mena ran a red light, causing the crash that killed Steven Hernandez. Mena was charged with intoxication manslaughter and was let out on bond last year. She is facing her third DWI offense.
Mugshot of Valeria Mena. (Credit: EPPD)
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Steven’s mother, Lupe Hernandez, said the long wait for the case to move forward has been painful for the family.
“It’s breaking because my son doesn’t get rest; we have to relive this nightmare,” Lupe said. “There’s no ending to it and it’s a pain that no family should endure. It’s like were treated like we’re the criminals, not the victims.”
Lupe said each delay reopens the family’s grief.
“Every time the wounds open, the hurt, the pain, knowing that this person gets to go home with,” Lupe said.
Steven Hernandez and his mom. Credit: Lupe Hernandez
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Since her son’s death, Lupe has become an advocate against drinking and driving. She founded the Sober Streets Movement and has been working to change DWI laws, saying she wants tougher consequences for people who repeatedly break the law.
“Justice won’t even bring my son back. But you need to be accountable for your actions. You need to be accountable when you’re given chances, and you continue to break the law,” Lupe said.
The case is now set for trial in November, but Lupe said another continuance could still delay the case if all parties are not ready. She said she plans to continue her advocacy work in the meantime.
“But if we can protect another family from enduring our loss and our voices being spoken and sharing the awareness and educating and help find ways that so no family has to go through a loss that what we’ve been through,” Lupe said.
The District Attorney’s Office was asked what more can be done to speed up the trial, but the office said it cannot comment on open cases.
Steven Hernandez family. Credit: Lupe Hernandez
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