Motorist Given Probation in Fatal McAllen DWI Accident
A man from Hidalgo County has been given probation for a drunk driving accident that claimed the life of young father in 2011.
About the Fatal McAllen Accident
According to KGBT, the original accident occurred when Benito Reyes went off the road and crashed into a McAllen apartment, killing 19-year-old William Morquecho as he slept in his bedroom. Morquecho left behind a 1-year-old son.
Morquecho’s mother was also injured in the collision when she was struck by the car’s tires. She sustained burn injuries and continues to walk with a limp.
The case was originally heard in October of 2012, but ended in a mistrial. A second trial ended in September with Reyes being found guilty of intoxication manslaughter.
Judge Rudy Delgado of the 93rd State District Court in Edinburg sentenced Reyes to 120 days in Jail and 10 years probation on Tuesday. Additionally, Judge Delgado ordered Reyes to pay Morquecho’s family $37,680 in restitution – payments will be made over the next 10 years.
Texas Car Crash Statistics
The following information was provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):
- 3,377 people were killed in auto accidents in Texas in 2013. This marked a 1.05 percent decrease from the 3,413 deaths recorded in 2012.
- 1,089 traffic fatalities were attributed to collisions in which at least one driver was intoxicated.
- Another 232,041 people were injured in traffic collisions with 89,270 people sustaining serious injuries.
