A Stephenville family is mourning the loss of a mother and son after a suspected drunk driver drove into a home over the weekend, resulting in their deaths.
According to information released by the Stephenville Police Department, at approximately 3:36 a.m. Sunday, March 22 officers responded to a report of a vehicle that had left the roadway and crashed into a residence in the 200 block of North Ollie Street, near the intersection of North Ollie Street and West Green Street.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel located multiple individuals with injuries, and they were transported to Texas Health Resources Stephenville by the Stephenville Fire Department and Erath County EMS.
Despite life-saving efforts, Barbara Rocha and her 7-year-old son, Alex Aron Rocha, died.
The driver of the vehicle, Gracie Yates, 18, was taken into custody and charged with two counts of criminally negligent homicide. She was taken to the hospital and later booked into jail.
According to information on the arrest warrant, signs of intoxication were present and field sobriety tests were administered.
“Upon speaking to the defendant, an officer observed blood shot/glassy eyes, extreme slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol emitting from her person,” the report states.
Yates initially stated she was not driving, but later admitted she was.
SPD was assisted by Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Game Wardens and the Erath County Sheriff’s Office.
Yates is being held on a $29,000 bond in the Erath County Jail. A GoFund me has been set up for Alfredo Rocha, the husband/dad of the victims and an additional child.
A $60,000 goal has been set in order to aid him in funeral costs and replacing a house with about $45,000 already raised. To donate to the fund, search Alfredo Rocha on www.gofundme. com. Direct funds may also be gifted through cashapp $alfredo4321.