Police: Wrong-way crash kills one, injures four in Galveston; driver arrested

A driver has been arrested after a wrong-way crash in Galveston that killed one person and injured four others on Monday evening, according to police.

Head-on collision

What we know:

The crash happened at about 5:45 p.m. on Harborside Drive and 29th Street. 

Police say the suspect was driving west on Harborside and had crossed into eastbound traffic. The suspect's vehicle then crashed head-on into another vehicle that had five passengers.

One of the five passengers was pronounced dead on the scene. The other four were sent to an emergency room and have since been released.

Maria Martinez

The victim, 40-year-old Maria Martinez, was with her husband and three children.

The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Alexis Cisneros, has been booked into the Galveston County Jail with a $150,000 bond, police say. Cisneros has been charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault.

Martinez's youngest daughter has a broken arm. Her oldest may need physical therapy. Her husband could need leg surgery because of the crash.

It's injuries and a death that Martinez's niece, Katy Gracia, said could have been prevented.

What they're saying:

"We are devastated that this had to happen," Garcia said. "It’s just a tragedy that could have been prevented. Everybody’s hurt. It was my family that ended up being hurt."

Garcia believes it’s unfair that a person who had previous DWI charges was released so quickly, while her family is still at the hospital recovering from the injuries.
"It’s just unbelievable that a person like that was let out in the world and who knows if she would do it again and hurt another family," said Garcia. "We’re just devastated that we found out on Wednesday that she was released."
Garcia describes her aunt as an amazing person who loved her pets and spending time with her family.
"We’re really hurt. She was our godmother. She wasn’t just a person, a friend or a cousin. She was a mom, a wife, and none of those people are going to get that back just because of someone’s terrible action, an action that could have been avoided," Yolanda Herrera, the goddaughter of Martinez, said. "It’s sucks that we have to go through this because of someone who decided to drink and drive."
Yolanda Herrera said her godmother was always happy, hardworking, and had strong perseverance.
"We miss her so much. Her kids miss her so much. They won’t stop asking about her. Her parents, her brother, her husband are all so sad and heart broken," Ashley Herrera, the goddaughter of Martinez, said.

Martinez’s goddaughter believes that the suspected drunk driver should never have been given a bond.
"It was hard having to find out that she even had a bond and that was released on a bond while we’re all still here praying for her kids to get better," Yolanda Herrera said