George Alvarez sentenced to 60 years for crashing into group of migrants, killing 8

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — George Alvarez, the driver involved in a deadly crash outside of a migrant shelter that killed eight and injured nearly a dozen, was sentenced Friday afternoon.

Alvarez was found guilty Friday morning on all counts of intoxication manslaughter in the May 7, 2023 crash that made national headlines. The jury returned for the punishment phase Friday afternoon, where Alvarez was sentenced to 60 years in state prison.

Prior to sentencing, Alvarez took the stand to address the survivors and families of the victims. Alvarez said he never meant for the crash to happen, and it pains him to see what he has done.

He remained adamant that he was not intoxicated at the time of the crash and that his representation did a poor job during the trial.

Alvarez was also facing eight counts of manslaughter and 10 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Alvarez agreed to plead guilty to those charges before the trial.

In April, the Cameron County District Attorney's Office announced its intent to request the court run the sentences consecutively if he was found guilty of the intoxication manslaughter charges.

On Friday morning, Alvarez submitted an application for probation, asking Judge Adolfo Cordova to suspend his sentence and instead be placed on community supervision.