HOUSTON — The woman accused of killing a man on a first date was not only nearly four times over the legal limit for alcohol, but she also had drugs in her car, according to the prosecutor.
Kristina Chambers was wheeled into a courtroom for her first court appearance Wednesday on a charge of intoxication manslaughter. Her bond was set at $50,000.
Houston police said Chambers was going about 100 mph when she lost control of her Porsche, jumped a curb on Westheimer, and hit and killed Joe McMullin, 33.
McMullin's family was in the courtroom Wednesday but didn't want to talk on camera.
Chambers, 32, and her passengers were injured in the crash but all survived.
Both the defense attorney and prosecutor on the case spoke after the court hearing.
"We are going to get all the evidence in discovery and properly look at whether this was a crime or should just be a civil lawsuit," defense attorney Mark Thiessen said.
"Frankly, that argument is insulting," prosecutor Kelly Marshall shot back. "For the family to sit in the room and hear that this is a civil case and that this is about money. This is not about money."
Prosecutors said Chambers was coming from a bar, but there are conflicting reports on which bar she was drinking at. They'll be investigating who may have overserved her.
The crash
Houston police said McMullin and his date had just come out of the Voodoo Doughnut near Montrose Boulevard when he was hit.
Surveillance video showed the speeding Porsche hitting the victim, throwing him 30 feet into the air, and then crashing into a pole.
McMullin's date, Brianna Iturrino, said the Porsche barely missed her.
"I knew she wasn't going to make the curb," she said.
Iturrino only knew the victim for a week but said they both loved music so he took her to a karaoke bar for their date.
“He was so sweet,” she said. “He smiled throughout the entire date. He was funny, good taste in music. He didn’t deserve to go like that.”
Workers from the pool hall next door called 911 and tried to help the victims.
“All we were thinking of is what were his last moments. It’s hard to think someone was just out on a first date and this happens,” one of the workers said.
McMullin "was passionate about music, the arts and entertainment, movies, social justice, and most of all, people," according to his family. "Joe was viewed by all as a brave, kind, and compassionate person in their life. He was a beloved son, loving brother, proud uncle, and the most loyal friend."