Miguel Espinoza, 45, of Rosenberg, is charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter and is being held on $400,000 bond. At approximately 11:35 p.m., officers responded to a collision near the intersection of 33rd Street and Avenue R. Investigators said Espinoza was eastbound in a black Hyundai SUV on Avenue R and failed to stop, hitting the northbound golf cart and a southbound Dodge pickup truck. Family members dropped balloons and stuffed animals at the scene Sunday and told ABC13 News a grandfather was driving the golf cart with his wife, niece and three grandchildren. The grandfather, niece and two grandchildren died. The grandmother and one of the grandchildren survived and are hospitalized fighting for their lives. According to the family, all family members are from the Rosenberg area and the grandparents often took their grandchildren and family members to Galveston for vacations and to enjoy the beach. “Great, they’re awesome grandparents,” said Minnie Villaboz, a great-grandparent of one of the victims. “They would both bring them here all the time,” added Sylvia Martinez, a family friend. “They were here a while ago. It’s summer, and they’re about to start school. I’m sure they wanted to go out and have fun before school started.” Neighbors who heard the crash sprung into action, forming a triage and helping those still alive before first responders got there. “I was trying to comfort the grandmother. The grandmother was laying there,” said Kimberly Ruiz, a witness. “He was trying to get up. I kept telling her “Don’t get up”. As other people came and comforted her, I ran here to the little boy consoling him because he was still breathing. It was very bad.” Ruiz said she couldn’t stop crying when she thought about the horrific scene. Tragedy now has a devastated community holding tighter to its children and grandchildren. “I just went back inside and started loving my kids because it was so horrible,” Ruiz said. During a press conference, Galveston Mayor Craig Brown said golf carts have become a productive mode of transportation for those living or visiting the island. While he said the ordinances were passed about six months ago, the mayor said the city council will discuss additional security measures to ensure the community remains safe. For updates on this story, follow Brooke Taylor on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Copyright © 2022 KTRK-TV. All rights reserved.
