HOUSTON – The man who killed a father and son while driving drunk will serve 16 years behind bars.
Jose Rivera was sentenced Wednesday for a 2013 crash in which he ran a red light and crashed into a Suburban on the I-45 feeder road at West Road in North Harris County. The impact sent the SUV into a utility pole, killing 36-year-old Juan Alvarez and his 9-year-old son Juan Jr. Alvarez's wife and 3-year-old son were also in the SUV.
It was an emotional day for the Alvarez family; just one of hundreds since two of their loved ones were killed in the accident.
"At the time of the accident, he (Rivera) had consumed quite a bit," said prosecutor Kyle Watkins. "His blood-alcohol content was .19."
Prosecutors say Rivera drank 16 beers between 9:30-11 p.m. at a bar before the accident. It's estimated that Rivera was driving 75 mph at the time of the crash.
Rivera pled guilty Wednesday to two counts of intoxication manslaughter and one intoxication assault charge. He accepted a plea deal of 16 years in prison. The maximum sentence he could have received was 20 years.
Rivera was in the country illegally and was driving without a license at the time of the crash. He will likely be deported after his time is served.
"Ultimately, we're doing everything we can to make sure that justice or as close as we can get to justice is done in these cases," Watkins said.
During the victim's statement, Alvarez's sister looked at Rivera and described her nephew as an excellent student who was loved by everybody. She told him that her brother was the strength and guide of their family.
In a powerful moment, she stared directly at Rivera and said: "Sixteen beers … and every beer is costing you one year. May God forgive you. You will find divine justice."
