Valentina Nerea and Esmeralda Rauda Killed, Joshua Budai Injured in Irving Two-Vehicle Crash on State Highway 161

Irving, Texas (March 6, 2021) – Two people and a dog were killed on Friday in a wrong-way crash that left another person critically injured in Irving, according to the police.

The fatal crash happened on March 5, in the 2300 block of State Highway 161.

Police said Yasmin Olvera, 23, was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of the highway when she crashed head-on into another vehicle driven by Joshua Budai, 21.

Budai was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. His two passengers, Valentina Nerea, 21, and Esmeralda Rauda, 19, and a dog were pronounced dead at the scene.

Olvera was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. She is facing two counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault.

The police are investigating the crash. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the police department at 972-273-1010 or 911.

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.