MIDLAND, TX — A 32-year-old woman from Midland was killed in a devastating crash early Saturday morning that police say was caused by an intoxicated driver. Authorities have arrested 40-year-old Gilbert Perez, who now faces a felony charge of intoxication manslaughter.
The fatal collision has shaken the community and reignited urgent calls for stronger efforts to combat drunk driving in Texas, where alcohol-related crashes remain a leading cause of roadway deaths.
Crash Reported Around 2 A.M.
According to the Midland Police Department, officers responded to a report of a major crash shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday near [exact location pending official release]. Emergency crews arrived to find two vehicles heavily damaged in the roadway.
The victim, a 32-year-old Midland woman, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics despite immediate lifesaving efforts. Police have not yet released her name publicly, pending formal identification and family notification.
Perez, the driver of the second vehicle, was taken into custody at the crash site. Investigators say he showed clear signs of intoxication. He was later booked into the Midland County Detention Center.
Intoxication Manslaughter Charge
Police confirmed Perez has been charged with intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony in Texas. If convicted, he faces a possible sentence of 2 to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
The Midland County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case and is expected to present it to a grand jury. Authorities have not released Perez’s blood alcohol content at the time of the crash, nor whether he has prior DWI convictions.
Community Grieving a Preventable Loss
News of the young woman’s death spread quickly across Midland on Saturday, leaving neighbors and friends heartbroken.
“This didn’t have to happen,” said one resident who lives near the crash site. “Someone made the choice to drink and get behind the wheel — and now a family is shattered forever.”
Tributes also began to appear online, with many describing the victim as a hardworking and kindhearted person whose life ended far too soon.
One friend wrote on Facebook: “She was the type of person who made everyone feel welcome. We can’t believe she’s gone.”
Drunk Driving in Texas: A Persistent Crisis
The tragedy highlights an ongoing problem in Texas, which consistently reports some of the nation’s highest numbers of alcohol-related crashes.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):
- In 2023, nearly 25% of all traffic deaths in the state were linked to drunk driving.
- More than 1,100 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes across Texas last year.
- Thousands more suffered life-altering injuries.
Advocacy groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) continue to stress that such tragedies are entirely preventable.
“Every single one of these deaths is the result of a choice,” said a MADD spokesperson. “There is always another option — call a friend, call a rideshare, or don’t drink if you plan to drive.”
Police Investigation Continues
Midland Police say the crash remains under active investigation. Detectives are reconstructing the collision and gathering statements from witnesses. Forensic analysis of Perez’s blood alcohol content is also underway.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or its aftermath to contact the Midland Police Department.
Perez is expected to appear before a magistrate judge for a bond hearing in the coming days.
A Community Call for Accountability
Local leaders and safety advocates say the tragedy is yet another painful reminder of the need for vigilance on Texas roadways.
“Every time someone chooses to drink and drive, they put lives at risk,” said one community advocate. “We’ve lost too many people this way. It has to stop.”
As the victim’s family prepares to mourn an unimaginable loss, many in Midland are left reflecting on the need for change — and the devastating consequences when that change doesn’t come soon enough.
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