MADD, sheriff’s deputies plead for sober & safe driving during holidays

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and Mothers Against Drunk Driving are teaming up for an anti-drunk driving campaign.

Sheriff’s deputies and MADD want to keep drunk drivers off the roads during the holidays.

The sheriff’s department reports there were 910 people killed in Texas in crashes where the driver had a BAC of .08 or higher. Nationwide, there were nearly 10,000 people killed.

In honor of victims killed, both agencies have teamed up with Pro Motions Visual to light up the El Paso County Jail located on 601 E. Overland. Pro Motions will project images off the jail and downtown bar, International, just across San Jacinto Plaza.

The projected images are a way to remind everyone to drive safe and sober this holiday season. MADD is also thanking law enforcement for their efforts to keep roads safe.

In honor of those killed, the county jail will be lit up. It won’t be with Christmas lights, it’s a hard reminder to those on the streets with one simple message: don’t drink and drive.

Police say Joel Garcia drove drunk Christmas Eve in 2014 and crashed into a car with two brothers and one of their girlfriends inside–all three were killed. Joshua and Isaiah Deal and Shannon Del Rio, were driving from their father’s house, to their mother’s house, when they were hit. Dee Cisneros, the mother of Joshua and Isaiah, says her life hasn’t been the same since losing her boys.

“Nothing is the same. I’m not the same. I don’t know if to me at this moment, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have a quote unquote normal life. I don’t think that’s ever going to be possible,” Cisneros told ABC-7 over the phone.

Cisneros has since moved from their El Paso home to San Antonio. She says she misses everything about the two–their smile, their hugs, their voices. She tells ABC-7 this year has been the hardest for her.

“I think I have more time for reflection. I was so busy last year with everybody and everything and involved in so many things,” Cisneros said.

Cisneros urges drivers to be smart before getting behind the wheel.

“I just want people to remember that drinking and driving is a choice. And it’s a choice that can change so many lives.”

The lights will be projected beginning at 6 P.M. Friday evening and wrap up at midnight.