Charge against suspects DWI driver upgraded after child dies

HOUSTON – A 5-year-old girl severely injured in a car crash last weekend has died, according to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

The driver accused of running a red light and plowing into another car, leaving a child in critical condition and her aunt severely injured appeared in court Wednesday.

According to prosecutors, Isreal Suarez Lugo, 34, admitted to having 12 Michelob Ultras at a bar before getting in his car to head to his brother’s house to continue drinking.

Police said the crash happened around 1:15 a.m. at the intersection of Harrisburg Boulevard and 75th Street in east Houston, when Lugo ran the light and crashed into another vehicle with four passengers inside. 

Giselle Luviano,5, and her 24-year-old aunt, Kimberly Saucedo, were taken to nearby hospitals with serious injuries.

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New images provided by the mother of 5-year-old, Giselle Luviano show family members involved in a crash that left Luviano and her aunt, Kimberly severely injured, Jan. 22, 2019.

Lugo appeared before a judge Wednesday on two charges of intoxicated manslaughter and intoxication assault, where his bond was raised from $40,000 to $102,500, and he was ordered back into jail after he had bonded out Sunday.

"Lugo was out for a few days with no conditions," said prosecutor Sean Teare, with the Harris County District Attorney's Office. "He was still completely able to drive if he wanted to. He was still completely able to drink. That’s not acceptable for me who has proven that they don’t have the respect for any of the rest of the people on our roadways, and get intoxicated, run red lights and potentially kill a 5-year-old."

His bond had initially been set at $5,000 but prosecutors requested a high bond, saying Lugo is a risk to public safety and one of the charges was likely going to be upgraded.

Police have released the mugshot of Isreal Suarez Lugo, the man charged in a DWI accident that left a 5-year-old and her aunt severely injured, Jan. 22, 2019.

Luviano’s family had asked for prayers from the community in hopes of a miracle, but prosecutors said doctors had been evaluating if the child was brain dead. 

Luviano suffered severe head injuries. Saucedo suffered broken bones. She’s expected to recover

Lugo and the passenger who was with him the night of the accident were not injured. If Lugo bonds out of jail, he is not allowed to drink or drive and will have to wear a GPS monitor.

Prosecutors are investigating the bar where Lugo had been drinking to see if he was overserved. If they found he was, others could be facing charges.


About the Authors:

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.