Midland, TX – A 38-year-old woman from Midland has been arrested after a DWI crash in which she allegedly asked an intoxicated passenger to take her baby before fleeing the scene of the accident.
The incident occurred on August 8th around 9:15 p.m. when officers responded to a two-car crash at 3525 Andrews Highway. Shiretha Ann Hamilton, the driver of a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, rear-ended a BMW that had stopped at a red light, failing to control her speed.
Leaving the Scene and Intoxicated Passenger’s Role
Hamilton and the other driver moved their vehicles to a nearby parking lot, but Hamilton left the scene before officers arrived. According to the BMW driver, the intoxicated passenger in Hamilton’s vehicle took the baby that was inside during the crash.
Officers later located the passenger walking near Bedford Avenue, where she showed signs of intoxication and smelled of alcohol. The passenger told officers that Hamilton had asked her to take the child to her home before law enforcement arrived.
Charges Against the Intoxicated Passenger
The passenger was arrested for public intoxication, a Class C misdemeanor, because her actions may have endangered the child’s safety. She had consumed an unknown amount of alcohol and had left the scene of the crash. Her actions raised concerns about potential harm to the baby.
Hamilton’s Vehicle and Admission of Guilt
As per YourBasin, officers later found Hamilton’s vehicle at a residence on Gatson Drive with the engine still running. Inside, they discovered multiple empty miniature liquor bottles and broken pieces of bottles both inside and outside the SUV.
Once taken into custody, Hamilton admitted to drinking several bottles of vodka but gave conflicting accounts of how much she had consumed. Authorities noted that Hamilton tried to tell officers that all her children were at home, a claim confirmed later after officers contacted the passenger, who was in possession of Hamilton’s child.
Failed Sobriety Tests and Arrest
Hamilton failed field sobriety tests, and a breath test recorded her blood alcohol concentration at 0.239 and 0.247, which is more than twice the legal limit.
She was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated with a child passenger, a state jail felony, as well as duty on striking an unattended vehicle. Hamilton was booked into the Midland County Detention Center, and her bond remains unknown, as she is no longer listed in custody.
Dangers of Driving While Intoxicated
Driving under the influence is a dangerous and potentially deadly crime, especially when children are involved. A blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit can significantly impair a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time, putting everyone on the road at risk.
Legal Consequences for DWI and Child Endangerment
In Texas, DWI with a child passenger is a serious charge that can lead to severe penalties, including state jail time, heavy fines, and a permanent criminal record. It’s important to understand that not only does driving under the influence endanger the driver and others on the road, but it also poses an immense risk to vulnerable passengers, especially children.
What are your thoughts on how law enforcement handled this case? Do you think stricter penalties are needed for DWI offenders with children in the car? Share your thoughts in the comments.
