(DailyChive.com) – A Texas family is mourning the tragic death of 7-year-old Ivory Smith, a bright and bubbly second grader, who was killed in a drunk driving crash involving an illegal immigrant earlier this month. The heartbreaking incident has sparked calls for tougher laws and justice for Ivory.
On December 1, Ivory and her mother, Christina Smith, were just minutes from their Houston home when their car was struck by a drunk driver. Police say Joel Gonzalez Chacin, a 41-year-old Venezuelan migrant, ran into their car at 2:45 a.m., killing Ivory and critically injuring her mother. Instead of helping, Chacin reportedly took photos of the crash and fled the scene.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t care,” said Sharonda Collins, Ivory’s aunt, during an interview on Fox & Friends. “He didn’t try to help or call for assistance. He just left them there.” Collins described Ivory as a joyful and talented girl who loved gymnastics, dancing, and even had her own YouTube channel. “She was always smiling. She was a star to us, and now she’s gone because the laws didn’t protect her.”
Court records show that Chacin had a troubling history. Earlier this year, he was arrested for assaulting a family member, an incident that led to an ICE hold. However, the felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor, and after serving 113 days in jail, he was released, and the ICE hold was lifted for reasons that remain unclear. Now, he faces intoxication manslaughter charges for Ivory’s death. The release of Chacin following his prior arrest has drawn sharp criticism, as highlighted in a recent report.
The family is demanding stronger penalties for drunk drivers. “We want Texas laws to be stiffer,” Collins said. “When someone decides to drink and drive, they risk destroying lives, but they don’t face harsh enough consequences.” She added, “Families like ours should be able to get home safely without worrying about someone drunk behind the wheel.”
Ivory’s mother has been released from the hospital but continues to suffer both physically and emotionally. “My niece has lost her only child,” Collins said tearfully. “We should be preparing for Christmas, not planning a funeral.”
The family hopes their fight for justice will lead to changes that prevent future tragedies like this one. The devastating impact of such incidents has renewed public calls for reform and stricter enforcement to protect families from preventable losses.
Copyright 2024, DailyChive.com
