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1 month ago
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SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A trial date has been announced for the man accused of drunkenly driving the wrong way on the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway and claiming the life of a 20-year-old woman.
Hugo Lara, 48 a McAllen resident, is accused of killing Mariah Desiree Enriquez on June 2, 2024 by driving the wrong way on the causeway and crashing into the young woman.
Enriquez was celebrating her graduation that night.
On Aug. 21 Lara was indicted on charges of intoxication manslaughter in Cameron County.
Cameron County records indicate a trial date has been scheduled for Feb. 10, with an announcement set for March 27.
Background
A news release from the J. Michael Moore law firm, who is representing Enriquez’ family, claims Lara was out drinking on SPI at a friend’s 42nd birthday party the same night.
As previously reported by ValleyCentral, at about 1:45 a.m. June 2, Lara reportedly drove a 2023 Ford F-150 pickup truck westbound into the eastbound lanes of the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway, colliding head-on with Enriquez' 2008 Kia.
Enriquez’ family has filed suit against Lara and his employer, Camelot Designs and Investments LLC, citing the company as the owner of the truck involved in the crash. The lawsuit stated that Lara was acting within the course and scope of his employment or official duties.
A dive into Lara’s criminal history revealed he has a rap sheet of drunk driving charges dating back to 2003.
Additionally, the civil lawsuit focuses on several aspects, including: The role of Bar Louie and Tequila Sunset Bar & Grill in allegedly serving alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person; the establishments’ alleged failure to prevent a dangerous situation that resulted in a fatal wrong-way collision on the Queen Isabella Causeway; the broader impact of alcohol service practices on public safety, particularly in popular tourist areas.
For more information on the roles that the bars played in this case check out our previous coverage.
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