No charges yet for mom suspected of causing daughter's death
McALLEN — Authorities have yet to bring criminal charges against a Mission woman released from McAllen Medical Center after she allegedly drove drunk and rolled her Chevrolet Malibu on Tuesday, killing one of her daughters.
Nereyda Martinez’s 7-year-old daughter, Carolina, was thrown from the car and died at the scene, according to Texas Department of Public Safety officials.
Trooper Johnny Hernandez, a local DPS spokesman, said Saturday that investigators were still analyzing blood samples for alcohol content and would wait for other results before officially charging Martinez.
“We are just gathering details,” Hernandez said.
The trooper said earlier this week that Martinez would face intoxication manslaughter charges after her release from the hospital.
If arrested and convicted of that charge, a second-degree felony, Martinez could receive up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
DPS officials say the 23-year-old was intoxicated when she lost control of her car about 7 p.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Mile 8 1/2 and Iowa Avenue. Carolina was not wearing any type of safety restraint when she was thrown from the vehicle.
The girl’s 1-year-old sister was also a passenger. She was in an unsecured car seat at the time of the crash and has since been transferred to the custody of a relative after hospital staff determined she was uninjured.
The state’s Child Protective Services division is conducting its own investigation.
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Neal Morton covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956)314-0896.
