“To anyone that can hear my voice as we enter a long weekend, just don’t drink and drive,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said.
HOUSTON — Houston Mayor John Whitmire joined various Houston-area law enforcement leaders Thursday ahead of the Fourth of July to put out a simple message: “Just don’t drink and drive.”
Whitmire was joined by Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz and other law enforcement leaders in the area, as well as families of victims impacted by drunk drivers.
“To anyone that can hear my voice as we enter a long weekend, just don’t drink and drive,” Whitmire said. “You have so many other options: ridesharing, walkability, I can go on and on. Do not drink and get behind the wheel of an automobile because if you do, this group of lawmen will hold you accountable.”
Whitmire encouraged Houston-area residents to enjoy the holiday weekend, but to do so responsibly.
“First of all, DWI will cost you thousands of dollars. You’ll go to jail. You will not like jail. If you injure someone and even take someone’s life, you will spend years in prison,” the mayor said. “Have fun this weekend. We hope you’re at Freedom Over Texas. Be with your family. Just don’t get behind a car after you’ve been drinking.”
Diaz echoed the mayor’s message, encouraging residents to celebrate Independence Day responsibly.
“We want people to come to the Freedom Over Texas, have fun,” he said. “Hang out, have a great time to celebrate our independence, that’s what it’s about. It’s not about getting drunk, it’s not about having too much fun. If you want to do that, stay at home. Don’t get behind the wheel. Drive sober or you’re going to get pulled over.”
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare emphasized the importance of having a plan to get home safely when drinking.
“Tomorrow or Saturday or whatever day you’re going to do this, have a plan on how you’re going to get home safely, because the best case scenario, if you don’t, is one of these men and women find you and catch you. And we prosecute you. We will take your license, we will take your freedom,” Teare said. “If you have a drink at your house, at a bar, but you think you’re going to come up with your plan on how to get home after that, it’s not going to work.”
Watch the full news conference Houston-area leaders hosted Thursday morning:
The father of a young girl who was killed in a crash with a drunk driver shared his story.
“On July 19, 2014, I was minding my business with my youngest baby girl here on my shirt, Jay Gabrielle Stephens,” Eric Stephens said. “We were coming from her 10th birthday party, and a drunk driver ran a stop sign and t-boned us, and I was driving and she was sitting behind me and she died in my wife’s arms.”
Stephens said he never looks forward to giving his testimony, but realizes the importance of it.
“I’ve missed birthdays, I’ve missed graduations, I’ve missed proms. This month, she would have been turning 21 years old,” he said. “People tell you it’ll get better with time. No, it does not. It does not get better. Some days you forget about it, then you’ll go six or seven months, and it’s hitting you every day. You don’t forget about it, it does not get better. So please, if you are impaired, please call rideshare, call somebody.”
Captain Eric Albers with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said HCSO has partnered with Lyft to offer a $15 discount on rides within the county. Users just have to enter the code HCSOJuly4.