Nationwide — Ivory Giselle Smith, a 7-year-old African American girl from Houston, Texas, was tragically killed by an alleged drunk driver who ran a red light and crashed into her family’s car. The crash also left her mother, Christina Quainoo, critically injured and facing a long recovery.
“Her life has changed. Our lives have changed. She’s never going to be the same,” said Ivory’s aunt, Sharhonda Collins, according to Click 2 Houston.
Collins said the two were on their way home after visiting Ivory’s grandmother when the accident happened. The family is devastated by the loss.
“Ivory brought so much light into our lives in her short time with us, and we will forever cherish the joy and love she gave so freely,” Collins wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to help the family.
The driver, 41-year-old Joel Gonzalez Chacin, was arrested at the scene. Harris County prosecutors say Chacin showed multiple signs of intoxication when officers arrived.
“He got out and started taking pictures of the crash instead of rendering aid,” said an official from the Harris County Vehicular Crimes Division. “It’s behavior we’ve never encountered before.”
Chacin faces charges of intoxication manslaughter. He received a $150,000 bond, with strict conditions including alcohol testing and a driving ban. He remains in custody due to an ICE hold. The family expressed frustration, believing Chacin should not have been granted a bond.
“The laws need to change,” Collins said. “The penalties for drinking and driving are not stiff enough, and it’s why this keeps happening. We need to fight to make sure no other family goes through this.”