By ALEXANDREA BAILEY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
A status conference has been scheduled for Nov. 21, 2024, regarding the wrongful death case of Mariah Desiree Enriquez.
Enriquez, 20, was celebrating her graduation on the night of June 2, 2024, when Hugo Lara of Hidalgo County was allegedly drunk driving westbound in the eastbound lane of the Queen Isabella Causeway. Subsequently, he collided head-on with Mariah Enriquez’s 2008 Kia Passenger. She survived the initial collision but soon after succumbed to her injuries and passed away at the scene. Lara was arrested and charged with Intoxication Manslaughter, a second-degree felony. He was indicted in Cameron County on Aug. 21.
Enriquez’s father is suing Lara, as well as two South Padre Island bars, for the wrongful death of his daughter, for the amount of $1,000,000. According to court officials, Lara has entered a not-guilty plea in his criminal case.
Judge Luis Singleterry in the 92nd District Court is presiding over this case. At the status conference, the Court will discuss the trial timing anticipated for spring 2025. The jury demand aimed to set an expedited trial for the first week of March 2025, immediately preceding Spring Break, to address public safety issues affecting the local community, including drunk driving and alcoholic overservice by bars. The motion alleges that a verdict at the start of this period could immediately influence local bars’ practices, raise drunk driving risk awareness among incoming tourists and provide an economic incentive for businesses to prioritize safety.
Lara’s criminal trial is set for Feb. 10, 2025, preceding the anticipated civil trial date.
“The parallel progression of both the criminal and civil cases underscores the gravity of this tragedy,” stated J. Michael Moore, attorney for the Enriquez family. “While the criminal justice system addresses Mr. Lara’s actions, our civil case seeks to hold accountable all parties who contributed to the events leading to Mariah’s death, including the establishments that allegedly over-served him alcohol.”
The two bars involved in the suit are Bar Louie and Tequila Sunset Bar & Grill. According to an amended court petition, it is alleged that Lara was overserved at these two facilities.
“Each court appearance brings us one step closer to justice for Mariah,” stated Guadalupe Enriquez, Jr., Mariah’s father. “Our family remains committed to ensuring that her death leads to meaningful changes in how our community approaches alcohol service and drunk driving prevention.”
The PRESS attempted to reach out to the defendants and their legal counsel, but no comment was received as of the time of publication.