Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds light and variable..
Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.
A Palestine Police Officer works the accident report on the hood of Jose Villanueva’s totaled Chevrolet Silverado.
Jose Villanueva pictured below with his five children.
A Palestine Police Officer works the accident report on the hood of Jose Villanueva’s totaled Chevrolet Silverado.
In the past year, drunk drivers in Texas caused 1,100 traffic deaths reports the Texas Department of Transportation. In Palestine, one of deaths was Jose Rodriguez Villanueva, a 32-year-old father of five.
According to the Palestine Police report, around 9 p.m. July 12, Villanueva, 31, and his passenger Dinora Davis, 26, were stopped at the red light in the outside lane of the 5000 block of N. Loop 256 and 1200 block of E. Palestine Ave., facing southwest when Trey Stone, 36, of Flint traveling with his 9-year-old daughter, failed to control his speed and hit the vehicle Villanueva was driving.
The impact of the crash caused Villanueva’s vehicle to move forward and stop in the middle of the intersection. Stone’s car spun around and stopped on the opposite side of the intersection in the driveway of a local business.
Stone was arrested for driving while intoxicated with a child passenger, intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle, intoxication assault with a vehicle and abandon/endangering a child criminal negligence.
Villanueva, his passenger and Stone’s daughter were all taken to Palestine Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.
Villanueva was pronounced dead by hospital staff.
“Our family has lost a huge part of us just for someone else’s irresponsibility,” said Maria Villanueva, the victim’s sister. “For anyone who is out drinking and driving please stop and think about how you can easily take away someone’s life or even your own life.
Jose Villanueva pictured below with his five children.
“Losing Jose has been so hard on his kids and family. We believe drinking and driving is very serious no matter who you are or what you’ve done in life doesn’t give you the privilege to drink and drive or do any other crime. We have faith and believe that District Attorney Allyson Mitchell will give my brother justice and make a point so people can see that drinking and driving is absolutely not acceptable.”
Jose Rodriguez Villanueva, is remembered by his family has an outgoing individual with a really good heart.
“He was always the life of the party And he was protector,” Maria said. “He always wanted to protect us or defend us from everything. He was really good with kids, especially his kids, nieces and nephews. He like to grill outside and loved to get the family together and he loved music. Every time we went to his house, he’d have loud music on. His loss has been very hard on our family.”
“This tragedy highlights the detrimental effects that drunk driving can have on multiple families as well as a community,” said Lieutenant Matt Kerr, an officer with the Palestine Police Department. “PPD takes drunk driving extremely serious and our officers will be out in force on this holiday weekend. Please call a ride if you have had too much to drink.”
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, on average, one person dies every seven hours and 57 minutes in Texas because of a DUI-alcohol related traffic crash. In 2021, 1,100 people were killed and 2,560 were seriously injured on Texas roads because someone chose to get behind the wheel after drinking.
Leading up to Labor Day, TxDOT is reminding everyone about the dangers of drunk driving. The campaign coincides with the national increased enforcement period sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“If you choose to celebrate the end of summer by drinking and driving, then know that police around the state will be on the lookout, will pull you over and arrest you,” said Marc Williams, TxDOT Executive Director. “When you drink and drive, you put everyone else on the road at risk too. These crashes are 100% preventable and can have fatal and/or serious physical, emotional and financial consequences.”
Through TxDOT’s “Drive Sober. No Regrets.” campaign Texas law enforcement officers is increasing their efforts to pull over motorists suspected of drunk driving through Sept. 5.
The “Drive Sober. No Regrets.” campaign is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel such as wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
The Texas Department of Public Safety encourages everyone to drive safely as they celebrate the unofficial end of summer during the long Labor Day weekend. The Texas Highway Patrol will be increasing enforcement through Sept. 5, looking for people not wearing their seat belts, speeders, people driving while intoxicated and drivers who fail to follow the state’s Move Over, Slow Down law, among other traffic violations.
“Safety must always come first,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “That is especially true when more people are out on the roads, like Labor Day weekend. Please remember to do your part by paying attention, buckling up and obeying all traffic laws.”
During the 2021 Labor Day holiday, Troopers issued 52,227 citations and warnings. This included 4,397 citations for speeding; 882 seat belt and child safety restraint citations; 929 citations for no insurance; and 245 warnings and citations for Move Over, Slow Down violations. DPS also had 222 DWI arrests, 229 felony arrests and 116 fugitive arrests.
Sadly, according to the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report, Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways.
Should you need a ride, there are two active taxi services in Palestine, 24/7 Transportation and Taxi at 903-922-1352 and Palestine Deliver Service at 903-724-4895.
Some information contained in this article is from reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report. This information was received and processed by the Texas Department of Transportation as of June 13, 2022.
• Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you’re consuming alcohol.
• Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, TxDOT vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Show the same courtesy to fellow drivers who are stopped on the side of the road.
• Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law.
• Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones.
• Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits the use of portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped. If you’re using a navigation device or app, have a passenger operate it so you can keep your eyes on the road.
• Drive defensively, as holiday travel can present additional challenges.
• Know your route before beginning your trip.
• Don’t drive fatigued. Allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
• On multi-lane roads, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to use the left lane for passing only (when posted).
• If you can Steer It, Clear It: If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the traffic lanes to minimize traffic impact. Leaving vehicles in a traffic lane increases traffic congestion and leaves those involved with an increased risk of harm of a secondary wreck. On some highways, if you don’t move your vehicle when it’s safe to do so, you’re violating the law.
• Don’t cut in front of large trucks, and try not to brake quickly in front of them, if possible. They can’t maneuver as easily as passenger vehicles and pickup trucks.
• Check your vehicle to make sure it’s properly maintained and always ensure your cargo is secure.
• Report road hazards or anything suspicious to the nearest law enforcement agency.
• Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you’re traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit Drive Texas.
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