A Texas woman has claimed that her high-priced shoes contributed to the tragic death of a man she struck during a drunk driving incident in Houston in 2023.
Kristina Chambers is currently facing trial for second-degree manslaughter, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. She has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
The fatal event unfolded on April 19, 2023, when 33-year-old Joseph McMullin was walking away from Voodoo Doughnut in Houston after a first date.
Chambers, reportedly with a blood alcohol content of .301—nearly quadruple the legal limit—crashed her blue Porsche 911 Carrera into McMullin at a speed of 70 mph.
On Friday, Briana Iturrino, who was on a date with McMullin that night, testified. She recounted that they were strolling along the 1200 block of Westheimer around 2:25 a.m. when she noticed the high-speed sports car barreling toward them.
“I thought he had moved out of the way because I couldn’t see him,” Iturrino testified, realizing her date was no longer beside her.
Iturrino said she felt something brush against her hip, but did not realize it was McMullin, who had been thrown around 30 feet in the air before Chambers drove away and crashed into a pole.
McMullin died at the scene.
Following the crash, police arrested Chambers after a short stay in the hospital. Two passengers in her were also injured.
Prosecutor Andrew Figliuzzi told the court that the defendant went out to eat at Bludorn with friends, before bar hopping at multiple nearby establishments.
During that time, according to Figliuzzi, Chambers drank around six alcoholic beverages and used cocaine. Police later found a bag of cocaine in her purse and in the backseat of her car.
“She was itching to show off her sports car,” Figliuzzi said.
Defense attorney Mark Thiessen argued that the incident had been a “freak accident” on “one of Houston’s most dangerous curves.”
Thiessen added that Chambers’ Christian Louboutin heels were stuck on the gas pedal, which caused the collision.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family filed a civil lawsuit against Chambers seeking $1 million in damages for their loss, according to online court records.
Law&Crime reports that the lawsuit identified Chambers’ former husband as Xuan Si, a hedge fund manager who bought her the car. Si reportedly knew “she was an unfit driver” that had a drinking problem, the lawsuit alleged.
Si reportedly denied purchasing the car for Chambers. He said she bought it herself with their joint account.
The lawsuit also named four Houston establishments in the lawsuit: The Eagle Houston, JR’s Bar & Grill, Lola’s Depot, and The Ripcord.
The trial continues. Chambers is facing two to 20 years behind bars if convicted.
[Feature Photo: Joseph McMullin/ Handout;Kristina Chambers/Houston PD]
