Thirty-five-year-old Elia De La Cruz is now facing charges of intoxication manslaughter.

She was formally charged on Tuesday in connection with the February 8 crash that claimed the life of her daughter Maria Leah Gonzalez.

An arrest warrant had been issued earlier this month and De La Cruz was expected to turn herself in.

Her bail was set at $50,000 by Rio Grande City Municipal Judge Basilio “Bacho” Villarreal.

The crash occurred on West Highway 83 in Rio Grande City. Police said when they arrived on the scene, they discovered that a vehicle had crashed into the back of a garbage truck.

Two people were trapped in the car and they were later identified as De la Cruz and Gonzalez.

Reports indicate that both victims had to be extracted from the vehicle through the windshield and taken to hospital.

Gonzalez, a third-grade student at General Sanchez Elementary School, was declared dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Police said De La Cruz was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed before she rear-ended the garbage truck.

Investigators revealed that the mother and daughter were wearing seatbelts.

Police said they found two cans of beer inside the vehicle and noticed a strong scent of alcohol coming from De La Cruz.

In Texas, intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony. If Elia De La Cruz is convicted, she could spend between two and 20 years in prison. She could also have to pay a fine of $10,000.

It is not known if De La Cruz has an attorney.

Please follow and like us: