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Affidavit: Underage woman had been drinking at River Walk bar prior to deadly crash in Helotes

Elena Carranza, 20, charged with intoxication manslaughter

SAN ANTONIO – An arrest warrant affidavit says a 20-year-old woman involved in a deadly crash in Helotes earlier this year had been drinking at a bar on the River Walk less than two hours prior.

Elena Carranza, 20, was arrested Monday in connection with the January 3 crash.

She faces a number of charges including two counts of intoxication manslaughter.

Woman arrested in January crash that killed couple, injured 4 children

The crash killed husband and wife, Craig Smith, 54, and Susan Smith, 39.

Their four children, who were in the minivan with them, were injured, some severely.

Coalition pushes for traffic changes after crash in Helotes kills parents of 4 children

The affidavit says officers could smell alcohol on Carranza at the time and noticed she had slurred speech.

Tests done at the hospital later showed her blood alcohol content was .12, the affidavit says.

At the scene of the crash, police told reporters that the crash was just an accident and that Carranza appeared to be about 26 or 27 years old.

However, records show she will turn 21 in August.

Texas law bans the sale of alcohol to anyone younger than 21.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission says a business that violates that law could face administrative action, including a fine or suspension of its alcohol license.

Parents of four young children killed in crash in Helotes, officials say

The employee who conducted the sale also could face misdemeanor charges, according to the TABC.

Helotes police are still trying to determine whether the bar involved in this case will be held accountable.

Chris Porter, a public information officer for the TABC, says that agency’s case against the bar has been closed for now due to lack of evidence of a violation.

He did say, though, that it could be re-opened if new evidence is presented.

Because no violations have been found at this time, KSAT 12 News is not mentioning the bar by name.

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About the Authors
Katrina Webber headshot

Katrina Webber joined KSAT 12 in December 2009. She reports for Good Morning San Antonio. Katrina was born and raised in Queens, NY, but after living in Gulf Coast states for the past decade, she feels right at home in Texas. It's not unusual to find her singing karaoke or leading a song with her church choir when she's not on-air.

Tim Stewart headshot

Tim has been a photojournalist and video editor at KSAT since 1998. He came to San Antonio from Lubbock, where he worked in TV and earned his bachelor's degree in Electronic Media and Communication from Texas Tech University. Tim has won a handful of awards and has earned a master's in Strategic Communication and Innovation from Tech as well.