Family of causeway crash victim sues suspected drunk driver

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The family of Mariah Desiree Enriquez, who was killed Sunday on the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway, filed a lawsuit against the suspected drunk driver involved in the crash.

On Wednesday, the J. Michael Moore law firm announced that it has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Guadalupe Enriquez Jr., Mariah's father, against Hugo Lara.

Lara was arrested Sunday on a charge of intoxication manslaughter in connection to the deadly crash.

According to a news release from the law firm, Mariah had just celebrated her graduation with her family the night before. The release continued, stating that Lara was out drinking at a friend's 42nd birthday party the same night.

"In a highly intoxicated state, Lara decided to drive back, taking his 2023 Ford Pickup the wrong way on the causeway. He drove westbound into the eastbound lanes, colliding head-on with Mariah's 2008 Kia passenger car and causing fatal injuries to the young woman," the release stated.

Lara was arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety. ValleyCentral included details of the crash from the affidavit in a previous report. Lara was released from jail on bond hours after the crash.

The lawsuit also names Camelot Designs and Investments LLC as a defendant, citing the company as the owner of the truck involved in the crash, and Lara's employer. The document claims that Lara was acting within the course and scope of his employment or official duties.

Mariah's family is seeking monetary relief of more than $1 million.