19-year-old allegedly had 12 drinks in 6 hours before crash that killed young mom

Courtney Fischer Image
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
19-year-old charged in drunk driving crash that killed young mom appears in court
19-year-old charged in drunk driving crash that killed young mom appears in court

HOUSTON -- New details are emerging on a Houston 19-year-old accused of driving drunk and causing a wreck that killed a young mother.

The wreck happened in the 1500 block of College Avenue, east of the Gulf Freeway.

RELATED: 19-year-old charged in drunk driving crash that killed young mother

Authorities said 23-year-old Taylor Phillips was driving an SUV with her mother and her 1-year-old son inside when Erick Hernandez crossed three lanes of traffic in his pickup truck and slammed into her head-on.

Hernandez appeared in court Wednesday on an intoxication manslaughter charge.

According to court records, Hernandez told police he was drinking at a bar with his cousin before the crash.

On Wednesday, prosecutors say a video from inside the South Houston bar shows Hernandez consuming 12 drinks, including three shots of tequila, before getting into his truck.

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During the six hours Hernandez was inside the bar no one asked him for an ID, according to prosecutors.

The employees and owner could face a charge for serving to a minor and serving someone while they're intoxicated.

Investigators tell our sister station ABC13 that the bar already has six TABC violations this year that include selling to minors.

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More charges will be filed if prosecutors can determine who was serving him.

The district attorney's office is also considering action to try to shut down the business.

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Police said the other driver involved in the deadly accident may have been intoxicated.