THE WOODLANDS, Texas – A crash on Interstate 12 in Slidell, La., claimed the life of a teen from The Woodlands and severely injured her husband.
Kristen Ambriz, 19, was driving a Mazda when the car was rear-ended. Ambriz was killed instantly. Her passenger was Jesse Stoltman of Magnolia. Stoltman survived but suffered brain trauma.
"I didn't believe it. I still don't. I haven't fully grasped what is going on yet. I don't know I ever will," friend Kayla Asnes said.
Ambriz just married her high school sweetheart, Stoltman, on the beach in Pensacola, Fla., where he is stationed in the US Navy.
"Since he's been living in Florida, one of the things they did every night was fall asleep on Skype together. They have the greatest love. I was the one witness that got to see them get married. My name is on the certificate. I cannot be more thankful I got to be there for that," said Asnes.
The newlyweds came home for a short trip and were headed back to Florida to finalize Ambriz's move.
Ambriz's family confirmed Stotlman is alert and talking, but at this point he doesn't know his wife of three weeks is gone.
"She was his world. I still don't know how he's going to take it. I'm just going to tell him I love him and everything is going to be OK," friend Riley Tate said.
Kevin Greenwood of Ormond Beach, Fla., is charged with negligent homicide, careless operation and negligent injury.
According to Louisiana State Police, Greenwood's breath sample showed alcohol in his system, but it was not over the legal limit.