Accused drunk driving trial begins for woman in Montgomery County

Court documents indicate that the driver was three times the legal limit and had valium in her system

MONTGOMERY COUNTY – The trial of Nicole Baukus began Monday afternoon in Montgomery Count, when state prosecutors and the defense gave opening statements just after 3 p.m.

Prosecutor Andrew James outlined why Baukus should be found guilty. James showed pictures and told the story of the deadly crash that happened back in June of 2012.

James said it all started when Baukus went to a bar in Montgomery County. Baukus consumed 17 shots and four beers in less than five hours.

"This defendant wanted to go out that night and drink," James said.

After drinking for several hours, state prosecutors said Baukus got behind the wheel of her car and left the bar. Somehow, they said, she was able to get onto I-45 and travel against traffic and minutes later, James said she slammed head on into a car with three people inside.

Nicole Adams and Travis Saunders died on impact, and a passenger, David Porras, was injured but survived the crash.

Baukus was taken to the hospital and attorneys said she didn't even understand what was going on.

"As the trooper was questioning her, he noticed she would just randomly be laughing at times, like this was all one big joke," James explained.

Court records indicate Baukus was three times the legal limit and Local 2 was told she had valium in her system.

Baukus is charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault.

Attorneys expect the trial to last the entire week.

Family members of both victims who died in the crash were in the courtroom, but didn't want to talk with reporters until the end of the trial.