HOUSTON — ‘Don’t drink and drive’ is the message from Houston area law enforcement as they get ready to crack down on drunk driving ahead of the New Year’s Eve holiday weekend.
Law enforcement officials are asking people to celebrate safely and responsibly as they ring in 2024.
"There will be zero tolerance for impaired driving. Anyone caught under the influence of alcohol or drugs will face strict enforcement measures, we rely on YOU to keep our roads safe,” said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Multiple agencies across the county are taking part in the No Refusal DWI Initiative, including the Harris County Sheriff's Office, Houston Police Department, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and more.
The agencies held a joint news conference Thursday morning hoping to stop what they say is 100% preventable crime and tragedy.
"Harris County time and time again leads the nation in DWI-related deaths,” said police Chief Troy Finner.
According to Finner, there have been over 5,100 DWI arrests this year in the city of Houston.
Sheriff Gonzalez said there have been 1,500 DWI arrests in Harris County.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said more than 11,800 DWI charges have been filed in 2023, 44 of those filed as intoxication manslaughter.
Two separate families of DWI victims also shared their painful stories at Thursday’s news conference.
"Please don't drink and drive because a life is something you cannot get back, and it's something we struggle with every single day,” said Deputy Michael Nelson.
Nelson’s 23-year-old daughter, Taylor Phillips, died in a head-on collision with an alleged drunk driver back in 2018.
Her 1-year-old son and her mother both survived.
Both stood by Nelson's side as he shared what daily life is like for his now 6-year-old grandson.
"He came home and he grabbed the phone and he asked his grandmother, 'I need God's number because I need to talk to my mom,'” he said.
Jocelyn Fowler’s older sister, Jennifer Chavis, a Harris County Precinct 7 deputy constable was on duty last year in April when a suspected drunken driver allegedly killed her.
"On April 2, 2022, we experienced an alternate reality. My sister was on patrol. A civilian had called in a suspected drunk driver and as she waited to apprehend him he crashed into the back of her patrol vehicle and it caught on fire. Her colleagues tried to get her out, and unfortunately, they were not able to,” said Fowler.
Chavis was 32 years old.
"This is the reality of drunk driving that you see before you. We stand before you with pictures because that is all that we have left, pictures and memories,” said Fowler.
We are told officers will be out in full force all across the Houston area this weekend to arrest DWI drivers.
If you do drink, authorities say have a plan. Safe alternatives include appointing a designated driver or calling a ride share.