**McALLEN, TX – October 3, 2024** – In the wake of the recent indictment of Hugo E. Lara for intoxication manslaughter, the family of 20-year-old Mariah Desiree Enriquez has filed a motion for preferential trial setting in their civil lawsuit against Lara and two local bars. The family is seeking a trial date of March 3, 2025, just before the start of spring break on South Padre Island. 

On June 2, 2024, Mariah Desiree Enriquez tragically lost her life when Lara, allegedly intoxicated, drove the wrong way on the Queen Isabella Causeway, resulting in a fatal head-on collision. The lawsuit alleges that two local establishments, Bar Louie and Tequila Sunset Bar & Grill, over-served Lara alcohol in violation of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) rules. 

“This case is about more than just seeking justice for Mariah,” said J. Michael Moore, attorney for the Enriquez family. “It’s about preventing future tragedies and sending a clear message to bars and restaurants about the deadly consequences of over-serving alcohol.”

The motion for preferential trial setting cites several reasons for urgency: 

1. **Public Safety:** An expedited trial could address critical issues of drunk driving and over-service of alcohol before the 2025 spring break period.
2. **Community Impact:** With over 100,000 visitors expected during spring break, contributing $30.5 million to the local economy, a timely verdict could influence local establishments’ practices and raise awareness among tourists.
3. **Recent Precedent:** A jury in Ector County, Texas recently awarded over $260 million in damages in a similar case involving a bar and a drunk driver.
4. **Preservation of Evidence:** An expedited trial ensures critical evidence is presented while memories are fresh.

 The lawsuit comes amid alarming drunk driving statistics in Texas:

• Texas ranks as the third-worst state for drunk driving in 2023.
• Over 1,160 people died in drunk driving accidents in Texas last year.
• 42.37% of all traffic deaths in Texas are caused by drunk drivers.
• There are nearly 340 DUI arrests made per 100,000 licensed drivers in Texas.
• One person dies in Texas every 7 hours and 32 minutes due to drinking and driving.

 “We’re not just fighting for Mariah, we’re fighting for every potential victim of drunk driving,” said Guadalupe Enriquez, Jr., Mariah’s father and plaintiff in the case. “If this trial can save even one life during spring break, it will have been worth it.”

 The lawsuit alleges multiple instances of negligence, including:

• Lara’s decision to drive while intoxicated
• Bar Louie and Tequila Sunset Bar & Grill’s alleged over-serving of alcohol to Lara
• Failure of the establishments to prevent Lara from driving while visibly intoxicated

 The Enriquez family hopes that by scheduling the trial just before spring break, it will serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of irresponsible alcohol service and consumption during this high-risk period.

 For more information, please contact: