On Sunday, September 2, a man from Marion was driving his Toyota Tundra in downtown New Braunfels when he lost control of his vehicle. 28-year-old Matthew David Hickey was travelling near the 300 block of North Seguin St. when he drifted during a turn, sideswiped a Ford pickup truck that was parked on the street, and hit a Ford Ranger traveling in the opposite direction. According to police reports, he was speeding down the street under the influence of alcohol when he caused the 3-car accident.
The driver of the Ford Ranger was a 59 year old woman whose name has not been released. She was taken via ambulance to the University Hospital for her injuries and is recovering.
Unfortunately, her passenger did not make it. 61-year-old Petra Hernandez was airlifted to the same hospital for life-threatening injuries which she sustained from the car crash. When she was at the hospital, Petra Hernandez succumbed to her wounds and passed away.
The car that Hickey was driving was also transporting a 25-year-old man who was injured in the crash, but did not die. Hickey had minor injuries from the crash. He was charged with one count of intoxicated manslaughter and two counts of intoxicated assault. The charge of intoxication manslaughter is a 2nd degree felony which carries a punishment of 2 to 20 years in prison.
The charges of intoxicated assault are 3rd degree felonies which can draw sentences of 2 to 10 years in prison. DUI charges are receiving much harsher sentences in the last few years, which is why it is so important to have the best representation available.
If you have been arrested for any kind of DUI or DWI, please contact a dedicated DWI defense attorney in New Braunfels to discuss your case immediately.