SAN ANTONIO — It's a dangerous combination: a rise in holiday travel and drunk driving.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), one in four traffic deaths across Texas during the holidays are caused by impaired drivers.
For many families, what's meant to be a joyous time of year will never be the same.
Monique Presas knows what that feels like.
Her daughter, Whitney Weddel, was hit and killed by a drunk driver in early February.
This year is Presas' first Thanksgiving without her best friend. Now, she's turning tragedy into advocacy, helping get more people home alive.
In the weeks before her death, Weddel was approaching big milestones. She was crafting the first nursing curriculum for IDEA schools, she just launched a mental health podcast, and next month she would have turned 40 years old.
The day Weddel died, one of the nurses caring for her was her student.
"I mourn her every single day," said Presas. "That'll be the rest of my life."
November 2023, one week before Thanksgiving, Presas and Weddel were enjoying a trip to Italy. It's a getaway that was on Presas' bucket list.
"She was constantly like, 'Ok, what are we gonna do for this mom? What are we gonna do for that mom? What are we gonna celebrate this? How are we gonna celebrate that?' So, she was constantly a celebrator," Presas explained about her daughter.
This Thanksgiving, Presas, her nieces and a few of Weddel's friends filled the table for a Friendsgiving dinner.
Weddel attended in spirit.
"We had her picture out with a candle next to it and just talked about Whitney and told stories about Whitney," said Presas.
February 8, Weddel was on the way to work shortly before 5 a.m. As she drove down Potranco Road near 211 on the far west side, she was hit and killed by a wrong way driver. Police say the other driver, Giovanna Blangiardo, was intoxicated.
"The woman that killed my daughter is at home on full house arrest because they don't have enough space at the jail," said Presas. "So the punishment doesn't fit the crime. Therefore people aren't afraid to risk it."
Now, Presas dedicates much of her time working with organizations to put an end to drunk driving. By Thanksgiving 2025, she hopes to recruit partners to fund commercials for the Free Rides Program which would run through the holidays. Free Rides Program is a non-profit that works with 20 local bars that pay for safe rides home. The goal is to eventually have 3,000 bars in San Antonio take part in the program.
"If I could say one thing, please, please enjoy yourself. We enjoy ourselves over the holidays," said Presas. "Everybody enjoys themselves, but have a plan."
TxDOT says last year, 28% of all traffic deaths during the holidays involved drunk driving. 126 Texans were killed and 272 were seriously hurt.
"The holidays should be a time of joy and togetherness. Not tragedy," said Ruby Martinez, Traffic Safety Program Manager for TxDOT. "A DWI can cost you...difficulty finding or keeping a job, loss of trust from loved ones and lifetime of regret. Probation may also include regular alcohol tests or having a breathalyzer installed in your car to start it."
Expect to see more law enforcement patrolling the roads during the holidays.
If you're caught driving under the influence, you could go to jail, lose your driver license and face up to a $17,000 fine.
What's important to keep in mind is every drunk driving crash is 100% preventable. Ways to plan ahead include designating a sober driver, using a rideshare, taxi or public transportation, calling a family member to ask for a ride or staying put until you sober up.
Right now, Presas is preparing to award scholarships to two nursing students by the end of 2024. These are thanks to donations to the Whitney Presas Weddel Scholarship Fund.
