AHUMADA PLEADS TO RECKLESS DRIVING, 2-YEAR PROBATION

From: Willacy County District Attorney's Office


Ref.: Reckless Driving Charage against Pat Ahumada
The Willacy County and District Attorney’s Office announces today that Patricio M. Ahumada, Jr., 59, of Brownsville, Texas was found guilty of reckless driving.\
The DWI charge was dismissed.
The defendant entered a plea of guilty to Cameron County Court- at-Law Judge Arturo McDonald after the state presented evidence that the defendant drove a vehicle in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property after consuming alcohol.
Ahumada was sentenced to the maximum of 30 days county jail which was probated for the maximum term of probation of 2 years.
The defendant agreed to pay the maximum fine of $200 and must also successfully complete the Mothers’ Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panel Classes, attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings once a week for 6 months, perform random urinanalysis and breath testing, complete 150 hours of community service, and abide by all standard conditions of probation.
The state introduced evidence at the hearing that on May 11, 2010 at 2:47 a.m., a Brownsville Police Officer observed the defendant driving a 2002 Ford Escape at a high rate of speed, straddling the center lane, and striking a curb near the 1300 block of East Alton Gloor.
At the traffic stop, the Officer also noticed the odor of alcohol emitting from the defendant. Ahumada admitted to the Officer that he had consumed alcoholic beverages and failed to submit to any standardized alcohol field sobriety tests.Based on the evidence at the scene, the Officer had probable cause to arrest the defendant for the suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
At the Police Station, Ahumada failed to provide a breath test that resulted in the suspension of his driver’s license until July 7, 2012.
After the case was filed at the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office, two eye witnesses later came forward to independently confirm that the defendant only consumed about two alcoholic drinks.The state presented the evidence to the defense attorney and the court.
Thus, the state filed reckless driving because the state could prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The state and defense agreed that it was in the best interest of justice to have the defendant plea to the maximum amount of probation and fine in lieu of a trial.
The punishment range for reckless driving is from probation to 30 days confinement in county jail and an optional fine not to exceed $200.
The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Brownsville Police Sgt. Kirk Massey, Officer Luis Perez, and Officer Everardo Longoria for their participation on this case.
The District Attorney’s Office appreciates the Brownsville Police Department for their dedicated in patrolling the streets and highways of Brownsville.
The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Pro-Tem Bernard W. Ammerman and First Assistant District Attorney Pro-Tem Scott V. Greenbaum.