<![CDATA[Journalism in July]]> <![CDATA[Journalism in July]]> en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 20 Jun 2013 10:46:02 GMT 15 <![CDATA[Deadly DWI crash orphans two-year-old]]> By Jessica Camacho


Debora Briones Memorial

Photo by Julian Jimarez-Howard

Two-year-old Bella Briones, critically injured and orphaned by a drunk driver, clings to life in an El Paso hospital bed, suffering from head injuries and broken legs. Her mother, 23-year-old Debora Briones was buried Saturday morning at Anthony Cemetery in New Mexico, the victim of a 35-year-old drunk driver who smashed into the family’s mini van two weeks ago. The fatal crash also killed Bella’s father, and is part of an alarming increase in DWI traffic fatalties Friends and family members united in prayer at the Hillcrest Funeral Home on Doniphan Dr., Saturday, to mourn Debora Briones’ death. Resting in an open coffin, she was surrounded by an overflow of white roses and flower arragements. In a dim and solem atmosphere, pastor Mario Rivas said, “Where there is Jesus, there is no death.” Afterward, the mourners walked slowly past her pale green casket. After the ceremony, Debora’s brother, Guillermo Trejo Jr., said that the family expects Bella to survive and be released from Thomason Hospital to his parents Guillermo and Victoria Trejo, who will be the toddler’s guardians. Allegedy drunk and speeding, David Gonzales, 35, of Canutillo, crashed into the back of the Briones famly mini van at the intersection of Doniphan Dr. and Redd Road. Police said Gonzales rammed his Ford Exporer into the van, which was stopped at a red light. The impact ejected Debora and Bella Briones through the windshield. Bella’s father, Juan Briones, 29, died at the scene of the Upper Valley accident. Debora was rushed to Thomason Hospital where she lingered in a comma for several days until her death Tuesday. At a press confrence last week, Police Spokesman Javier Sambrano told The Soapbox staff that Bella was in “critical but stable” condition. David Gonzales is currently in the county jail, after being hospitalized for minor injuries. He has been charged with two counts of intoxicated manslaughter and one count of intoxicated assault. His bond was set at $560,000. ]]> Sun, 04 Sep 2005 19:02:00 GMT