Oriana Santillan Critically Injured in Fatal Highlands Two-Vehicle Crash on Main Street

Highlands, Texas (January 14, 2021) – Two drivers were killed, and a toddler was injured in a head-on collision Thursday night in the Highlands area of east Harris County, according to the authorities.

The fatal crash occurred just before 9:51 p.m., January 7, in the 1700 block of S. Main Street.

Deputies said Vincente Aguilar was driving a black Chevy Silverado southbound over the speed limit when he failed to drive in a single lane, veered into the northbound lanes, and crashed head-on into a northbound white Chevy Silverado driven by Claudia Santillan, 32.

Aguilar and Santillan were pronounced dead at the scene.

Santillan was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Santillan’s daughter, 2-year-old Oriana Santillan, was taken to the hospital with broken bones and was listed in stable condition. She was properly restrained in a car seat at the time of the crash.

A GoFundMe account has been created to help with Claudia and Oriana’s Medical & Funeral Expenses.

Investigators said Aguilar might have been impaired at the time of the crash because there was an odor of alcohol coming from his truck.

The crash remains under investigation.

In Texas, a driver is legally intoxicated after consuming alcohol if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08% or higher. A driver is also considered intoxicated if they don’t have the normal use of their mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol. Alcohol however is not the only intoxicant, as drivers can become intoxicated by ingesting prescription and illegal drugs such as crack, marijuana, and cocaine.

Regardless of what substance caused the driver’s reaction time to become significantly altered, intoxication by any means can cause terrible accidents and injuries.

Innocent victims harmed by drunk drivers are entitled to compensation for their injuries, including but not limited to medical expenses; lost wages; pain and suffering and mental anguish; physical impairment and disability; and most importantly, punitive damages to deter future conduct. If a death occurred because of a drunk driver, you will want a knowledgeable accident lawyer to bring a wrongful death action against the drunk driver.

To speak with one of our highly qualified lawyers at  Joel A. Gordon & Associates, Click to call: 281-943-5555.