Ivory Giselle Smith Death; – The family of a 7-year-old girl, identified as Ivory Giselle Smith, tragically lost her life due to an alleged drunk driver in northeast Harris County on Sunday.
Ivory was a second-grade student at Klenk Elementary School within the Klein Independent School District. The suspected driver, Joel Gonzalez Chacin, 41, appeared in court on Tuesday morning, where family members shared details of the incident with ABC13.
According to reports, Chacin, a resident of Spring, was intoxicated when he collided with a vehicle containing Ivory in the back seat at the intersection of Bammel North Houston Road and the Sam Houston Parkway around 2:45 a.m. on Sunday. Ivory’s mother, Christina, was behind the wheel at the time of the accident.
Ivory’s aunt, Sharonda Collins, informed ABC13’s Chaz Miller that they were en route to her mother’s residence when the crash occurred. The family revealed that Christina required surgery and remains hospitalized, facing a long recovery process that includes physical therapy to regain her ability to walk.
Collins expressed her frustration, stating, “It is always the person drinking and driving who walks away, leaving families to deal with the aftermath. Laws need to change. I am determined to advocate for changes in the law for Ivory.” She emphasized that the current penalties for drinking and driving are insufficient, allowing offenders to repeat their actions and secure bonds.
Although the family opposed granting Chacin a bond, he was released under conditions that include alcohol testing and a prohibition on driving. Ivory’s family described her as the vibrant heart of their gatherings, brimming with personality and a passion for gymnastics. She was the sole child of Christina.
Chacin is also a father of two. Collins lamented, “Imagine someone taking a life, then getting out and attempting to flee the scene instead of providing assistance. He showed no concern.”
