A Texas family is fighting for justice after a seven-year-old girl was killed by an illegal immigrant in a drunk driving accident earlier this month.
It was Joel Gonzalez Chacin, 41 years old Charged with drunken manslaughter In the death of Ivory Smith, a second grader at Klink Elementary School in Houston.
“We have a lot of memories of Ivory,” Collins told “Fox & Friends” host Steve Doocy.
“She was a shining star for us. She loved the spotlight. She loved to dance. She loved gymnastics. She had a YouTube channel, and we'll miss her. She always had that smile, you see. She was always smiling, and we didn't protect her, the Texas laws didn't protect her.”
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Ivory Smith, 7, was killed and her mother was seriously injured when authorities say a man allegedly driving drunk crashed into their car. (GoFundMe)
Authorities confirmed to Fox News Digital that the 41-year-old migrant was drunk when he entered T-boned Christina Smith and her daughter Ivory 2:45 AM on December 1st.
Police said Chasen took photos of the scene “instead of helping” and then drove off. The two victims It was just a few minutes from home.
“Unfortunately, he didn't care. He didn't care that there was a mother and daughter in that car,” Collins said. “He was hurt. He didn't try to help. He didn't try to call for help. He went out and took pictures and tried to flee the scene.”
Fox 26 Houston reported that court records revealed that Chasin had previously been set up with someone else Ice hold Earlier this year after he was arrested for assaulting a family member in June.
The felony assault charge against him ended up being dropped to a misdemeanor, and after pleading guilty, Chasin was sentenced to 113 days in jail, which he actually served, and was released the same day. The detainee who was being held against him was also removed on the same day for an unknown reason.
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“We want the laws in Texas to be stricter,” Collins said. “When they make the decision to drink and drive, they make the decision to go to prison longer because they don't give us those options when we're walking down the street just trying to get home.”
“I should be able to get in. People in Texas should be able to get in their cars and go home safe if we're doing everything right,” she continued. “We shouldn't have to worry about someone drinking and driving on the streets.”
According to a statement issued by the family, the mother, who was discharged from the hospital, is still “enduring tremendous suffering.” Physical and emotional pain“From the accident.
“My niece lost her only child. Her father lost his only daughter,” Collins said. “Our family has lost Ivory, who was loved throughout our family. She was one of our youngest children in the family, and we are only seeking justice.”
“We're trying to change these laws because they're unfair. As you guys say, we have 12 days before Christmas and we're planning a funeral instead of trying to celebrate Christmas,” she continued.
Fox News' Peter Pinedo and Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
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