EDINBURG — A July 24 crash in Edinburg has claimed the lives of three family members. The collision, according to Edinburg Police, was caused by a drunken driver.
“It all comes down to what we believe, that we suspect, that an impaired driver made a decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and drive a 4,000 pound bullet into oncoming traffic that caused injuries to this family,” Police Chief Jaime Ayala said at a news conference following the crash.
The accident occurred about 9:14 p.m. in the 2200 block of South Jackson Road. The preliminary investigation indicates the driver of a black pickup truck veered into the oncoming lane and collided head-on with a minivan occupied by the three victims.
The victims have been identified as 50-year-old Luz Aurora Casado, Casado’s 68-year-old mother, Maria Guadalupe Zavala Casado, and Casado’s two-year-old daughter, Ellieana Santoy. A fourth family member, 10-year-old Shailey Rachel Martinez, was listed in critical condition at this writing.
Police identified the suspected drunken driver as 46-year-old Shen Li Jiang of Edinburg, who was also in critical condition at the time of this writing. Chief Ayala said Jiang would be charged with three counts of intoxication manslaughter and possibly a fourth charge of intoxication assault should he recover from his injuries.
“The Edinburg Police Department is providing support and assistance to the affected families during this difficult time,” authorities further stated in a news release. “Investigators are continuing to process the scene to gather all relevant evidence and piece together the events leading up to the collision.”
Non-economic damages in Texas
The above accident, according to police, has devastated the lives of surviving family members. It demonstrates why personal injury claims are designed to recover more than just medical bills and loss of income.
Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate than economic damages. These types of damages include compensation for the physical, mental, and emotional pain that result from car accidents.
Texas state law states that crash victims can recover non-economic damages for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional pain
- Anxiety and stress
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of ability to have sexual relations (consortium)
- General inconvenience
Victims need the best legal representation possible
Non-economic damages are extremely subjective in nature. The jury will have to rely on its belief about what these damages are worth in dollar terms. There are currently no caps on pain and suffering in Texas (except in medical malpractice cases).
A personal injury attorney from the J. Gonzalez Law Firm can be your best asset on your road to emotional recovery. Our expertise and experience in calculating non-economic damages provide the best chance at securing the maximum compensation for your losses.
The J. Gonzalez Law Firm will work closely with you to investigate the accident, gather evidence, and calculate the full extent of your damages. Most of all, you’ll be treated with compassion and dignity in the aftermath of a traumatic event.
No one wants to go through the emotional pain of a devastating car accident, but if it happens, you want the best representation possible to get the compensation you need and deserve. Contact the J. Gonzalez Law Firm today to discuss your case at 1-800-CAR-CRASH.
