Second to last paragraph reads: "During the trial, Department of Public Safety crime lab forensic toxicologists testified Resendez had traces of cocaine in her system as well as an anti-anxiety drug
and double the amount of an anti-depressant drug."
http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_4672721,00.html Driver sentenced to 45 years
Resendez struck, killed man whose car had run out of gas on SPID
By Sara Lee Fernandez Caller-Times
May 4, 2006 A 43-year-old woman was found guilty of intoxication manslaughter and sentenced to 45 years in prison on Wednesday.
Simona Resendez also was found guilty of failing to stop and render aid and of aggravated assault in the 2004 death of a 28-year-old man on South Padre Island Drive near Nile Drive.
Resendez asked that District Judge Nanette Hasette decide her sentences, which included 20 years in prison for failing to stop and render aid and 45 years for aggravated assault.
The sentences will run concurrently, officials said.
Family members of Gonzalo Martinez - who died Dec. 4, 2004, after being struck by Resendez' automobile after his automobile ran out of gas while driving on SPID - were relieved by the trial's outcome.
"I'm glad my mom feels the closure of it all," said the victim's sister, Veronica Martinez.
Martinez's stepfather-in-law, Cresencio Perez, testified Tuesday that Martinez phoned him to say he had run out of gas just after midnight. Perez was with Martinez at his vehicle when he was hit.
During the trial, Department of Public Safety crime lab forensic toxicologists testified Resendez had traces of cocaine in her system as well as an anti-anxiety drug and double the amount of an anti-depressant drug.
Resendez testified Tuesday that she didn't remember taking cocaine and that she was under psychiatric care and had been taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication. She also testified that she was stressed at the time of the incident.
Contact Sara Lee Fernandez at 886-3767