Recently, a heartbreaking incident unfolded in north Houston when seven-year-old Ivory Smith lost her life in a late-night drunk driving accident. The perpetrator, Venezuelan migrant Joel Enrique Gonzalez Chacin, was responsible for the fatal crash that occurred just two and a half months after ICE released a hold against him, as per court documents.
Reports indicate that Chacin had a prior encounter with ICE earlier in the year when he was arrested for assaulting a family member in June. Despite being initially placed on an ICE hold, the felony assault charge against him was reduced to a misdemeanor. After pleading guilty, Chacin served a 113-day jail sentence, which he had already completed, and was released the same day. Surprisingly, the ICE detainer against him was also lifted on that day for reasons that remain undisclosed.
Authorities confirmed that Chacin was intoxicated when he collided with Christina Smith and her daughter Ivory at 2:45 a.m. Chacin's actions post-accident were deemed callous as he opted to take photos of the crash scene instead of rendering aid before fleeing. Tragically, Ivory lost her life in the accident, while her mother sustained severe injuries but has since been discharged from the hospital. Chacin has been arrested for intoxicated manslaughter and is now subject to a new ICE detainer.
The family of Ivory Smith released a statement expressing their profound grief and calling for accountability and justice. They emphasized the preventable nature of the tragedy and questioned the efficacy of the existing systems that failed to keep dangerous individuals off the streets. The family mourned the loss of Ivory, a second-grader whose life was cut short due to the reckless actions of a drunk driver.
Amidst their sorrow, the family vowed to seek answers, advocate for change, and honor Ivory's memory by striving for a safer future. They highlighted the need for stronger measures to avert similar tragedies and ensure that families do not endure the pain and injustice they are currently facing. Ivory's legacy, filled with innocence and joy, will serve as a guiding light in their pursuit of a more secure society for all.
