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William Tran, Taylor Ryan Mayers and Jose Raul Diaz were convicted of Driving While Intoxicated by separate juries in June of this year. Tran and Mayers, both 23 years-old, were charged after each caused car accidents due to their intoxication in 2012. 39-year-old Diaz was charged with his second DWI after caught speeding at over 100 mph on the Grand Parkway in 2013. William Tran was convicted of Driving While Intoxicated by a jury on June 11, 2014, almost two years after the traffic accident that resulted in his arrest. The 23-year-old Missouri City man was charged with the crime in July 2012 after hitting two parked cars in the Birchstone subdivision. According to Assistant District Attorney Grayson Miller, around 6 am on July 26, 2012, Tran claimed he was driving home from a friends house when he saw a bright light coming towards him and swerved to avoid it crashing into a parked van and spinning around before striking another car. The defendant said his car came to a rest blocking the entire roadway. Missouri City Police Officer Andrew Sonnier responded within minutes and immediately noticed Trans loss of coordination, red glassy eyes, and the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. The officer also observed a brightly colored wristband on the defendants arm, like the kind you would get from a club. Tran admitted to drinking two beers a few hours before and that he was just really exhausted and hadnt slept in 48 hours. Skeptical that the defendant had only drunk two beers, the officer evaluated Tran using the standardized field sobriety tests. Tran nearly fell over several times and could not maintain his balance at any time. The defendant refused to provide a breath or blood sample and fell asleep repeatedly during the ride to the jail. I hope this probation will be an eye opener for Mr. Tran, stated Miller. Driving while youre impaired is never the right decision, and he is lucky no one was injured. Tran was tried in County Court at Law Number 2 before Presiding Judge Jeffrey A. McMeans. In agreement with both the defendant and the State, the Court imposed 15 months probation, a $1,250 fine, and 120 hours of community service. Tran must also attend and complete a DWI Education Class and Victim Impact Panel. Driving While Intoxicated in this case is a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $2,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail. Assistant District Attorneys Grayson Miller and Melissa Gimenez prosecuted the case. Attorneys Brian Nguyen, Anissah Andang and Christopher Gonzalez represented the defendant. Taylor Ryan Mayers was convicted of Driving While Intoxicated by a jury of his peers in less than an hour on June 18, 2014. The 23 year-old Marble Falls man was arrested after causing an accident in August of 2012. According to Assistant District Attorney Alex Salgado, Mayers caused an accident on Highway 59 at Cottonwood Church Road the morning of August 20, 2012. Witnesses described Mayers erratic driving before the collision to Department of Public Safety Trooper Corey Robinson, who investigated the wreck. Robinson evaluated the defendant and determined that he was under the influence of some sort of narcotic. After his arrest for suspicion of DWI, the defendant provided a blood specimen that was analyzed to reveal the presence of Lorazepam a central nervous system depressant with side effects similar to alcohol. Driving While Intoxicated does not mean Driving While Drinking, stated Salgado. A person can become intoxicated by using a prescription drug that warns against driving, like Lorazepam. And when you drive a 2,000 pound machine that requires your utmost attention while impaired, the focus required to drive safely is hindered putting everyone on the road in grave danger. Mayers was tried in County Court at Law No. 1 before Presiding Judge Ben W. Bud Childers. The defendant was sentenced to 12 months of probation during which he must attend a DWI education program and a victim impact panel. Mayers must also complete 50 hours of community service. Assistant District Attorneys Alex Salgado and Jenna Rudoff prosecuted the case. Attorney Michael Diaz represented the defendant. The Fort Bend County District Attorneys Office then returned to court on June 19, 2014 for the sentencing of convicted DWI defendant Jose Raul Diaz. Visiting Judge Larry Wagenbach sentenced the 39-year-old Richmond man to a two-year long probation for Driving While Intoxicated 2nd Offense, after a jury convicted him earlier in the month. According to prosecutors, DPS Trooper Corey Robinson stopped Diaz for traveling over 100 miles per hour on Highway 99 near FM 1093 in the early morning hours of June 28, 2013. Making contact with the defendant, Trooper Robinson immediately noticed the odor of alcohol on Diazs breath, his red and blood shot eyes, and the presence of urine and feces on his person. Still, the trooper continued his investigation and evaluated the defendant using standardized field sobriety tests. As a result of his poor performance on the tests, driving recklessly over 100 mph, urinating and defecating on himself and several other indicators of intoxication, Trooper Robinson arrested Diaz for what would be his second DWI. Although he admitted to drinking, when asked to provide a breath specimen, the defendant refused. A jury convicted Diaz in only 12 minutes. Driving is a privilege that comes with great responsibility, said Assistant District Attorney Jenna Rudoff. People must be held accountable for their decisions to drive while intoxicated putting not only their life in grave danger, but also the lives of innocent people. We are fortunate that Trooper Robinson was able to protect the people of Fort Bend County by removing this intoxicated driver from the road. Diaz was tried in County Court at Law No. 1. Driving While Intoxicated in this case is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by 30 days to one year in jail and/or a fine up to $4,000. Diaz must perform 80 hours of community service and be required to install an interlock ignition device on his car during his term of probation. He will also attend a DWI subsequent offender program in addition to two Victim Impact Panel presentations. Assistant District Attorneys Jenna Rudoff and Alex Salgado prosecuted the case. Attorney Michael Nguyen represented the defendant. |
