Investigators have received countless tips on what could have happened before a drunk driving accident that killed 3 Orangefield High School students Sept. 18.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is piecing together what could have happened. Troopers say 17-year-old Grey Smith drove drunk, killing himself and 2 friends: 16-year-old Jacob Bates and 17-year-old Darrick Brantley.
DPS troopers say, unfortunately, cases like those three teens killed after getting alcohol are tragedies that start at home. Also, more and more Southeast Texas families are learning that first hand.
Kathy Hernandez knows all too well the effects of underage drinking. Her daughter, 19-year-old Casey Hastings drove drunk in 2007, killing herself and paralyzing another.
"People need to wake up and realize that minors have no business drinking. They're inexperienced and their inexperienced drivers," says Hernandez.
Trooper Stephanie Davis with the Department of Public Safety acknowledges that teens have access to alcohol, and since 3 Orangefield teens were killed on Highway 62 in a drunk driving accident, hopes to find our how they are getting it.
"I think it's very important for us to set a tone to say that it's not acceptable, and we're not going to accept it when an adult provides alcohol to a minor," says Trooper Davis.
Trooper Davis says the death of Smith, who was legally drunk, Bates and Brantley could have been prevented.
"Look at this crash and say are the consequences worth me allowing my 16, 17 year old to drink," says Trooper Davis.
As for Hernandez, she hopes parents take that message seriously.
"People need to start stepping up and acting like adults."
That way, she says, that no matter how easy it is for teens to get alcohol they don't.
If investigators find out someone did get the alcohol for 17-year-old Grey Smith, they could face up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
DPS investigators say they only requested autopsy results on the driver, and don't know if the other Orangefield High School Juniors with Smith were drinking.
