ANGLETON, Texas – At first glance, they look like Christmas trees decorated for the holidays. But a closer look reveals something far more powerful.
Each angel hanging from the branches carries a face, a reminder of someone who never made it home—lives lost because of drunk driving.
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One of those faces belongs to Mindy Red’s daughter, Michelle Red, who was just 18 years old when she was killed in a drunk driving crash in February of 2009.
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The crash happened near Kuykendahl Road and FM 1960 in north Houston. The driver responsible was later sentenced to prison.
“It changed our life completely,” said Red.
Red said she lost her job, had to uproot her kids and move because of the court proceedings that followed.
“All of these were the domino effect of a choice to get behind the wheel and drive impaired,” said Red.
What began as a small memorial—a single tree with just three photos—has grown over the years into multiple trees holding more than a thousand faces from across Texas, the country, and even overseas.
“It’s sadly beautiful,” said Red. “I’ve learned many of their stories, and many of their parents or family members are my friends now.”
As painful as it is to revisit the loss year after year, Mindy says the purpose of the memorial is prevention—especially during the holiday season, when impaired driving crashes tend to rise.
“One drink can change someone’s life,” said Red. “Driving is a privilege, not a right. You have to plan ahead.”
Her message comes as authorities continue to investigate deadly crashes tied to suspected impaired driving across the Houston area.
Just last week, a suspected drunk driving crash on the Grand Parkway left three peopled dead, with a 3-year-old child as the sole survivor in a family of four.
A 27-year-old woman has since been charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault.
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Mindy says every new crash reinforces why she continues the memorial, even when it’s emotionally exhausting.
“Every year, there are more faces,” she said. “And every one of them was preventable.”
She urges drivers to designate a sober driver, use ride-share services, or simply leave the car and come back for it the next day.
“It can save you thousands in court fees,” she said. “But more importantly, it can save you from living with the fact that you took a life.”
Mindy says this year marks the eighth year she has put up the Trees of Angels, a tradition she hopes one day will no longer need to grow.