In a dramatic courtroom turn, a Texas socialite finds herself at the center of a legal storm after being accused of fatally running over a pedestrian while driving her luxurious Porsche 911 Carrera, valued at $100,000. The accused, Kristina Chambers, attributes the tragic accident to her stylish Christian Louboutin heels, claiming they became lodged on the gas pedal, leading to the catastrophic event.

During the trial, Chambers’ defense lawyer, Mark Thiessen, highlighted the notorious reputation of the curve where the incident occurred, dubbing it one of Houston’s most perilous bends, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. Thiessen portrayed the unfortunate death of 33-year-old Joseph McMullin as a “freak accident,” while the prosecution painted a starkly different picture.

Harris County Assistant District Attorney Andrew Figliuzzi presented a narrative of reckless indulgence, suggesting Chambers was eager to flaunt her high-performance sports car. Key to the prosecution’s case is Chambers’ blood-alcohol content at the time of the crash, recorded at .301—an alarming figure, roughly four times Texas’s legal limit.

Adding to the controversy, Chambers was reportedly accompanied by two friends during the April 2023 incident. One of them, Sebastian Lopez, characterized Chambers in a deposition as an “alcoholic,” further alleging her involvement with drugs. These statements form part of a wrongful death lawsuit initiated by McMullin’s family, which remains unresolved.

The lawsuit also implicates Chambers’ ex-husband, Xuan Si, a wealthy portfolio manager, for purchasing the Porsche despite her well-documented struggles with alcohol. The lawsuit claims Si was aware of her unsuitability as a driver, raising questions about his responsibility in the tragic sequence of events.

Chambers’ ex-husband, a wealthy portfolio manager identified in the lawsuit as Xuan Si, allegedly purchased the Porsche that Chambers was driving just months before the deadly incident. He did this despite “knowing she was an unfit driver” with a drinking problem, the lawsuit alleges.

Chambers, 34, faces a criminal charge of intoxicated manslaughter in connection with McMullin’s death. She allegedly visited four bars on the night of the crash – Lola’s Depot, The Eagle Houston, The Ripcord and JR’s Bar & Grill — which have been named in the wrongful death lawsuit. A manager at a pool hall near the crash site testified last week about rushing to help McMullin and seeing one of the worst scenes he’s ever witnessed.

“I’ve seen so many accidents on that road,” Alfredo Ponce said, according to the Chronicle.

McMullin had just finished a night of karaoke with his date, Briana Iturrino, and the pair were walking through Montrose to get a snack at Voodoo Doughnut when Chambers allegedly slammed into McMullin at around 2:25 a.m. as they walked along the 1200 block of Westheimer. Iturrino reportedly testified last Friday about what she saw.

“I thought he had gotten out of the way because I couldn’t find him,” Iturrino said, noting how McMullin was hurled about 30 feet away from her upon impact.

Surveillance video allegedly shows Chambers speeding in her Porsche before striking McMullin and throwing him into the air before she crashes into a pole. Prosecutors say drugs, including cocaine, were found inside the vehicle. Chambers and two passengers in the Porsche were hospitalized before Chambers was arrested.

McMullin was declared dead by paramedics just minutes after the crash.

“This was an unspeakable tragedy that could have been prevented by any number of factors that evening, all that would lead to Joseph continuing to live a happy and thriving life,” said lawyer Jesus Garcia, Jr., who represents McMullin’s family, in a 2023 statement to reporters. “While the grief of the McMullin family will never subside, we must act against all parties who bear responsibility to ensure a senseless tragedy like this never again occurs.”