DPS: Woman killed by drunk wrong-way driver on dam

PORT ISABEL, Texas (ValleyCentral) – DPS officials say a McAllen man driving the wrong way on the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway was drunk when he crashed into a car, killing a young woman.

The two-vehicle crash occurred at 1:45 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of the dam, according to a DPS news release.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a white 2023 Ford F-150, driven by 48-year-old Hugo Ernesto Lara of McAllen, was traveling west in the eastbound lane.

According to police, Lara collided with a red 2008 Kia car. The car was driven by 20-year-old Mariah Desiree Enriquez from Edinburgh, who was traveling east on the Queen Isabella Causeway.

Enriquez died at the scene of the accident. Lara was arrested and charged with drunkenness and manslaughter.

Lara was taken to the Cameron County Jail to await arraignment.

DPS says this is an ongoing investigation.