DALLAS, TX - A Dallas jury has found 28-year-old Linda Rubi Molina-Castro guilty of Intoxication Assault with Serious Bodily Injury after a high-speed crash on North Central Expressway in 2022.
Crash Details
The incident occurred just after 2:00 a.m. on November 28, 2022, when Molina-Castro, driving a Tesla with a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit, caused a four-vehicle collision. One of the vehicles struck was a Dallas Fire Rescue firetruck that had been assisting at an earlier crash. Another vehicle involved had a backseat passenger who suffered a liver laceration after being impaled by a pole that passed through the car’s backseat and trunk. Crash data from Molina-Castro’s vehicle indicated she was traveling over 80 mph seconds before the crash in a 35 mph advisory zone.
Trial and Verdict
During the trial, the victim could not be located, but a physician from Baylor Hospital who treated the injured passenger testified to the severity of the injuries. The defense requested inclusion of a lesser charge, Misdemeanor DWI, which the jury considered. After just 10 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict on the felony intoxication assault charge.
Sentencing
On sentencing, Judge Audra Riley imposed 5 years of probation with 30 days in jail as a condition, an interlock device on Molina-Castro’s vehicle, and a $5,000 fine.
The case was prosecuted by lead attorney Hallie Warnock, with Robin Pittman serving as second chair. DA Investigator Martin Bosse and paralegal LaTonya Peoples assisted, with the Dallas Police Department handling the investigation.
