Damián Martínez, 18, a resident of Brownsville, died this Sunday around 3:11 am when he lost control of the Mercedes Benz he was driving, was ejected from the vehicle and succumbed to injuries sustained on State Highway 48, south of Port Elizabeth.
Preliminary investigation reveals that Martinez, in the company of another person, was driving on the outside lane of State Highway 48 heading east. Then, in a curve, the vehicle left the road and the driver lost control of the car, flipping over several times.
Since the driver was not wearing a seatbelt, he was ejected from the car. The passenger sustained injuries and was transported to Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville. DPS Troopers are investigating this crash.
DPS preliminarily believes that alcohol may have contributed to this fatal crash. The autopsy is still pending on Martínez.
Seat belts are the best defense against drunk, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Being buckled up during a crash helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle; Being ejected completely from a vehicle is almost always fatal. Texas law requires everyone in a vehicle to buckle up or face fines and court costs of up to $200.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can put your life and the lives of others at risk. If you are under the age of 21, it is illegal for you to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in your system.
You are legally intoxicated in Texas when your blood alcohol concentration reaches 0.08 percent. Still, you are breaking the law as soon as drugs or alcohol impair your driving – or flying or navigating – ability.
What are the penalties for driving while intoxicated?
first offense
- Up to $2,000 fine.
- Up to 180 days in jail on conviction, with three days mandatory.
- Loss of driving license for up to one year.
Second time
- Up to $4,000 fine.
- From one month to one year in prison in case of conviction.
- Loss of driver’s license for up to two years.
Third time
- $10,000 fine.
- From two to ten years in prison.
- Loss of driver’s license for up to two years.
