EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 An El Paso advocacy group gathered at a local bar to sign a petition, calling for accountability and tougher laws against Driving While Intoxicated. <\/p>\n
Members of El Paso\u2019s Sober Streets Movement gathered Thursday afternoon outside Hope and Anchor Bar on Mesa to raise awareness about drunk driving, underage drinking, and what they described as a growing crisis that continues to claim lives in the community.<\/p>\n
“We are fighting to change our laws and to have leaders hold people accountable when they have a DWI offense, and more so when there is a fatality involved, and we’re trying to push for changing the laws and mirroring laws from one of the stricter states in the United States,” program coordinator at Sober Streets Movement, Aracely Rascon said. <\/p>\n
She added, “We also want to lower the limit from 0.08 down to 0.05.” <\/p>\n
The petition comes a week after 19-year-old Ambar Chavira was arrested and charged in a deadly hit-and-run crash, killing 56-year-old Jaime Andrade. <\/p>\n
Authorities say the crash happened around 9:17 p.m. on April 6 in the 6300 block of North Desert Boulevard.<\/p>\n
Investigators report that four vehicles were involved in the collision, which ultimately claimed the life of one driver.<\/p>\n
Police identified the suspect as Chavira, who is accused of operating a silver 2016 BMW 428i at the time of the crash.<\/p>\n
According to a complaint affidavit, Chavira allegedly failed to control her speed and rear-ended another vehicle, triggering a chain-reaction collision. One of the impacted vehicles, a Subaru Outback, was driven by Andrade, who later died from injuries sustained in the crash.<\/p>\n
Authorities allege that Chavira fled the scene on foot instead of remaining to render aid or provide information, as required by law.<\/p>\n
According to the affidavit, Chavira’s mom reported her daughter to police, saying she had fled from the scene.<\/p>\n
Investigators later tracked her to a residence on Rosa Gandara Drive, where officers reported she showed signs of intoxication.<\/p>\n
According to the affidavit, Chavira admitted to consuming multiple alcoholic beverages prior to the crash.<\/p>\n
She told officers she had been drinking at the Hope and Anchor bar with her “sugar daddy” before attempting to drive home.<\/p>\n
After the collision, she acknowledged leaving the scene despite being advised to stay and call 911.<\/p>\n
She was taken into custody and charged with a collision involving death, a serious felony offense under Texas law.<\/p>\n
Chavira was later released on bond.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: <\/a>Affidavit: Woman says she drank with her ‘sugar daddy’ at Hope and Anchor before crash<\/a><\/p>\n Advocates said the case is the latest example of why change is needed.<\/p>\n Rascon, who said she lost her own daughter to a drunk driver, said the group is also trying to push for DWI cases that involve fatalities to have no bond until the suspect goes to criminal court. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, the petition also comes after several other recent DWI crashes that have resulted in deaths. <\/p>\n In response, the Sober Streets Movement previously gathered outside the El Paso County courthouse last month, urging El Paso District Attorney James Montoya to strengthen laws and increase accountability for drunk driving offenses.<\/p>\n That gathering brought together residents, advocates, and victims impacted by impaired driving, many of whom shared concerns about current legal consequences and enforcement, according to the 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: Community members press DA James Montoya for tougher drunk driving accountability<\/a><\/p>\n