Young mother killed in crash involving suspected drunk driver – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

The family of a young mother who died in a crash involving a suspected drunk driver in Fort Worth a week ago spoke Thursday about the tragedy and their sudden loss.

Amanda Wright, 41, was killed in a crash in Fort Worth around 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 19. The mother of two was on the way home from a concert with a friend.

Traffic came to a standstill in the West Loop 820 development when, according to police, 24-year-old Guadalupe Velasquez Cruz, allegedly driving a semi-truck drunk, crashed into the back of Wright's car.

Wright was killed and the male passenger in her car was seriously injured.

Wright's mother, Eddye Lou, held a framed photo of the mother of two, but immediately felt sad. “Wait a minute,” she said, holding the photo up to her face.

The family's lawyer, Amar Dhillon, held a press conference to share information about the victim and announce his firm's intention to file a lawsuit against the suspect's employer.

“This was a preventable accident,” Dhillon said. “A driver of the truck decided to get behind the wheel, had been drinking alcohol and was arrested at the scene for drink driving. He should never have been hired, he should never have been behind the wheel, and because of his actions, he will ensure that Amanda's two beautiful daughters will be raised by a mother.”

According to responding officers, Velasquez “was swaying, had unsteady balance, and had bloodshot, watery eyes.”

He did not speak English and an officer asked a Spanish-speaking officer to comment at the scene. “I could smell the odor of an alcoholic drink from his breath. I asked if he had been drinking.” [sic] any alcohol today and [he] stated that he did.

Police conducted “as many field sobriety tests as they could” and determined that Velazquez was “intoxicated.”

Medstar transported the suspect to JPS Hospital, where he reportedly consented to a blood draw. Results are still pending.

Fort Worth police said there was no current information on the case.

Sarah Wright says she can't understand why someone would get behind the wheel of a “lethal weapon” like a semi-truck while under the influence.

“I can’t even imagine it,” she said. “They took a beautiful woman from our family and left her daughters (19 and 8 years old) motherless.”

Wright worked in retail management, she loved gardening, and lived with her mother shortly before her death.

Her sister smiled and talked about Wright's talent for “thorough house cleaning” and how she somehow enjoyed it.

The family is dreading the next two days as they prepare for the visitation and funeral service at Greenwood Funeral Home and Chapel in Fort Worth.

Dhillon's law firm is in the process of gathering more information about the suspect, his professional background and his movements (GPS with route, stops, etc.) on the night of the accident.

The Wright family's lawyer announced his intention to sue the suspect's employer.

“It's a small trucking company based in Dumas, Texas – that's all the information we can share at this time,” Dhillon said. “The Tarrant County District Attorney has advised us that an immigration hold is in place.”

Velazquez remains in the Tarrant County Jail, charged with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault.

NBC 5 has asked the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office to confirm whether Velasquez has an immigration hold. A spokesman declined to comment, saying the department does not share such information.

NBC 5 reached out to his alleged employer by phone and email, but we have not yet heard back.

We spoke briefly with his court-appointed attorney, Stephanie Gonzalez, who said she “couldn't comment” on the case or her client.

Wright's family runs a verified online fundraiser to benefit her daughters.