A Texas woman says that her expensive heels played a part in the death of a man she killed in 2023, following a drunk driving crash in Houston.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Kristina Chambers is on trial, charged with second-degree manslaughter. She has pleaded not guilty.
The incident occurred on April 19, 2023, as the victim, Joseph McMullin, 33, walked away from Houston’s Voodoo Doughnut, following a first date with a woman.
Chambers, who allegedly had a blood alcohol content of .301 (nearly four times the legal limit), plowed her blue Porsche 911 Carrera into McMullin while she drove 70 mph.
On Friday, McMullin’s date, Briana Iturrino, took the stand and recalled that they were walking along the 1200 block of Westheimer, at around 2:25 a.m., when she saw the sports car speeding toward them.
“I thought he had gotten out of the way because I couldn’t find him,” Iturrino said, realizing that her date was no longer walking beside her.
Iturrino said she felt something brush against her hip, but did not realize it was McMullin, who had been thrown around 30 feet in the air before Chambers drove away and crashed into a pole.
McMullin died at the scene.
Following the crash, police arrested Chambers after a short stay in the hospital. Two passengers in her were also injured.
Prosecutor Andrew Figliuzzi told the court that the defendant went out to eat at Bludorn with friends, before bar hopping at multiple nearby establishments.
During that time, according to Figliuzzi, Chambers drank around six alcoholic beverages and used cocaine. Police later found a bag of cocaine in her purse and in the backseat of her car.
“She was itching to show off her sports car,” Figliuzzi said.
Defense attorney Mark Thiessen argued that the incident had been a “freak accident” on “one of Houston’s most dangerous curves.”
Thiessen added that Chambers’ Christian Louboutin heels were stuck on the gas pedal, which caused the collision.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family filed a civil lawsuit against Chambers seeking $1 million in damages for their loss, according to online court records.
Law&Crime reports that the lawsuit identified Chambers’ former husband as Xuan Si, a hedge fund manager who bought her the car. Si reportedly knew “she was an unfit driver” that had a drinking problem, the lawsuit alleged.
Si reportedly denied purchasing the car for Chambers. He said she bought it herself with their joint account.
The lawsuit also named four Houston establishments in the lawsuit: The Eagle Houston, JR’s Bar & Grill, Lola’s Depot, and The Ripcord.
The trial continues. Chambers is facing two to 20 years behind bars if convicted.
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[Feature Photo: Joseph McMullin/ Handout;Kristina Chambers/Houston PD]
