| Inmate name: | Yesenia Hernandez |
| Charge description: | Yesenia Hernandez was convicted of Driving While Intoxicated by a jury of her peers on June 21, 2013. The 24-year old Rosenberg woman was arrested in 2011 after swerving into oncoming traffic almost hitting a police officer. According to Assistant District Attorney Richa Kumar, Rosenberg Police Lieutenant Aaron Slater witnessed Hernandez make a wide right turn into oncoming traffic on September 3, 2011. Lt. Slater testified that he saw headlights come straight at him before the defendant over-corrected and drove on the right side of the road and hit a curb. Hernandez drove for several blocks after Slater activated his emergency lights, even though there were available areas where she could have pulled over. Approaching the defendant, Lt. Slater found her confused and disoriented. He could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle. When asked if she had been drinking, Hernandez replied, a little. Rosenberg Police Officer Michael Walden also responded to the scene. He asked her how much she had to drink to which the defendant responded, Im going to be honest with you, 5 regular size beers, maybe more. Officer Walden asked the defendant to perform the three standardized field sobriety tests and Hernandez performed poorly on each of them. Hernandez refused to provide a breath or blood sample. Driving while youre intoxicated is dangerous business, said Prosecutor Richa Kumar. The difference between DWI and Intoxicated Manslaughter is sometimes a matter of seconds and Ms. Hernandez was fortunate she was stopped before she hit someone that night. Hernandez was tried in County Court at Law No. 2 before Visiting Judge Larry Wagenbach. Driving While Intoxicated in this case is a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine up to $2,000. Hernandez will be sentenced on July 9th to a one-year probation during which she must pay a $750 fine, attend a DWI education class, perform 60 hours of community service, and attend a Victim Impact Panel among other conditions. The Victim Impact Panel is a program where victims of intoxication crimes share personal stories with probationers about the impact DWIs have had on their lives. Assistant District Attorneys Richa Kumar and Tonika Davis prosecuted the case. Attorney Ross Torres and Asif Sayani represented the defendant. |
| Booking location: | Fort Bend County, TX |
