DWI is always a serious charge, but parents can make matters worse for themselves by having children with them in the car while driving intoxicated. Authorities in Spring, Texas, have placed two children in a relative’s care after arresting their mother, a woman from Houston, for driving while intoxicated. The children, ages 6 and 10, were reportedly passengers in the vehicle when their mother apparently crashed into a home.
The mother faces charges of driving while intoxicated with a child passenger. If convicted, she could incur penalties of up to two years in prison, loss of her driver’s license for 180 days and pay fines up to $10,000 or more.
Though it is not clear exactly what the woman’s blood alcohol level was at the time of her arrest, authorities allegedly determined that the mother was intoxicated by administering standard field sobriety tests. They also report that, after the accident, she attempted to flee the scene. It is not clear whether she tried to take her children with her or intended to abandon them at the site.
There is no report of injury to either of the children, although law enforcement indicates that neither of them were wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision. It is unclear whether the home contained any occupants when the car crashed into it. There are also no specific reports of damage to either the house or the vehicle.
Conviction on DWI can tear families apart even if the children were not in the vehicle at the time. Those facing drunk driving charges may find it helpful to contact an attorney.