Orphaned at 3: The Tragedy of Wrong-Way Drunk Driving on Texas Highways — And How Justice Can Still Be Served

A Family Destroyed in Seconds: What Happened on Highway 99

It was just after 2:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning in Fort Bend County, Texas. A young family of four — Lizbeth Rodriguez Contreras, 27; her husband Diego Pena Jr., 26; and their two children, 5-year-old Camila and 3-year-old Dieguito — were driving home from a Christmas party. They were on Highway 99, a major corridor that connects Houston to the Gulf Coast, when their lives were violently cut short.

A wrong-way driver, later identified as Majesti Faith Lee, 27, was barreling down the highway in the opposite direction. Alcohol was a factor. Lee, allegedly impaired, crashed head-on into the family’s car.

Lizbeth and Camila were killed instantly. Diego was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries but died shortly after. Only Dieguito, the 3-year-old boy, survived — but his survival came at a devastating cost. He was left orphaned, hospitalized in critical but stable condition, facing a lifetime of surgeries, rehabilitation, and the emotional trauma of losing his entire family in an instant.

The Aftermath: A Community in Mourning

The tragedy sent shockwaves through the Houston area. Lizbeth was a beloved fourth-grade teacher at Metcalf Elementary School in Houston, where her daughter Camila — described as her “mini-me” — also attended preschool. Diego was a handyman, and nothing made Dieguito happier than imitating his father’s work around the house.

Heartbroken relatives described Dieguito as a “sweet and innocent boy” who is now fighting for his life in the hospital. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover his medical expenses and future care, with family members writing:

“In an instant, Dieguito lost the people who loved him, protected him, and were his entire world. He is currently receiving medical care, will undergo surgeries, and continues to fight through recovery. While he is surrounded by family who love him deeply, the emotional and financial weight of this loss is overwhelming for all of the family. No family should ever have to plan funerals for three loved ones while also worrying about the medical care and future of a surviving child.”

The Wrong-Way Driver: Majesti Faith Lee

Lee, the driver responsible for the crash, was transported to a hospital by Life Flight with non-life-threatening injuries. Police confirmed that alcohol was a factor in the collision. She was arrested four days later and charged with:
– Intoxicated manslaughter (enhanced to a first-degree felony)
– One count of intoxication assault

Lee is currently being held at the Fort Bend County Jail on a $1,050,000 bond — a figure that reflects the severity of the charges and the irreversible harm she caused.

Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan released a statement saying:

“Our hearts are with the family as they endure an unimaginable loss. This tragedy is a painful reminder of how quickly lives can be changed when impaired driving occurs, and why making responsible choices behind the wheel is so critical.”

The Legal Fallout: Who Is Responsible for This Tragedy?

1. The Driver: Majesti Faith Lee

Lee faces serious criminal charges, including:
– Intoxicated manslaughter (first-degree felony) — punishable by 5 to 99 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
– Intoxication assault — punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

But criminal charges are only part of the story. While Lee will face the justice system, civil lawsuits can also be filed to hold her — and potentially others — financially accountable for the devastation she caused.

2. Could a Bar, Restaurant, or Social Host Be Liable?

Under Texas dram shop laws, businesses (or even social hosts) can be held liable if they served alcohol to someone who was already intoxicated and that person later caused a crash.

Key questions in this case:
– Where did Lee consume alcohol before the crash?
– Was she visibly intoxicated when served?
– Did the establishment continue serving her despite signs of impairment?

If evidence shows that a bar, restaurant, or even a private party over-served Lee, they could be partially liable for the deaths and injuries.

3. Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers (If Applicable)

If a mechanical failure contributed to the crash — such as:
– Brake failure
– Steering malfunction
– Tire blowout
– Defective alcohol interlock device (if Lee had a prior DUI)

— then the vehicle manufacturer or parts supplier could be held responsible under product liability laws.

4. Government Entities (Road Design & Signage)

Highway 99 is a major Texas thoroughfare, and wrong-way crashes are a known risk. If poor signage, confusing road design, or lack of wrong-way detection systems contributed to the crash, TxDOT or local authorities could face liability.

Common road design flaws that contribute to wrong-way crashes:
– Poorly marked exit ramps (drivers accidentally enter the wrong way)
– Inadequate “WRONG WAY” signs
– Lack of reflective pavement markings
– No wrong-way detection cameras or alerts

FMCSA Violations: Could This Crash Have Been Prevented?

While this was not a commercial truck accident, federal regulations on impaired driving still apply — and they highlight how preventable this tragedy was.

Key FMCSA Regulations on Impaired Driving (49 CFR Part 392)

Even though Lee was not a commercial driver, FMCSA regulations set the standard for safe driving — and her actions violated multiple safety principles:

Why These Violations Matter in a Civil Case

Even though Lee wasn’t a commercial driver, FMCSA regulations establish the standard of care for all drivers. Her violations can be used to prove negligence per se — meaning the court can automatically find her liable because she broke safety laws designed to protect the public.

What Dieguito’s Family Should Do Next

1. Preserve Evidence Immediately

• Demand the preservation of all evidence (police reports, toxicology results, vehicle data).
• Subpoena Lee’s cell phone records (to prove distraction).
• Investigate where Lee was drinking (dram shop liability).
• Examine the vehicle for defects (manufacturer liability).

2. File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

• Within 2 years (Texas statute of limitations for wrongful death).
• Against all liable parties (Lee, any bar/restaurant, vehicle manufacturer, government entities).

3. Seek Compensation for Dieguito’s Future

• Medical expenses (surgeries, rehabilitation, therapy).
• Lost income (Lizbeth and Diego’s future earnings).
• Pain and suffering (Dieguito’s emotional trauma).
• Punitive damages (to punish Lee’s reckless actions).

4. Hold All Responsible Parties Accountable

This wasn’t just a driver’s mistake — it was a systemic failure. Every entity that contributed to this tragedy should be held responsible.

A Message to Fort Bend County Families: You Are Not Alone

If you’ve lost a loved one in a wrong-way crash, drunk driving accident, or any preventable tragedy, you have legal rights. The pain of losing a family member is unimaginable — but justice can help with healing.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for victims of catastrophic accidents in Texas. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has secured multi-million-dollar verdicts for families devastated by negligence. We know how to hold drunk drivers, bars, and corporations accountable — and we won’t stop until justice is served.

What We Can Do for Dieguito’s Family (And Yours)

✅ Immediate evidence preservation (before it’s destroyed).
✅ Full investigation (to identify all liable parties).
✅ Aggressive negotiation (to maximize compensation).
✅ Trial-ready representation (if the insurance company refuses to pay fairly).

You don’t pay unless we win. We work on contingency — meaning no upfront costs, and we only get paid if we recover money for you.

Call Attorney911 Now — Before Evidence Disappears

Every minute counts. Evidence in drunk driving cases can disappear quickly:
– Toxicology reports can be delayed or lost.
– Surveillance footage from bars or roads can be erased.
– Witness memories fade over time.

Don’t wait. If you’ve lost a loved one in a wrong-way crash, drunk driving accident, or any preventable tragedy, call us now for a free, confidential consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 https://attorney911.com

We answer 24/7. Let us fight for the justice your family deserves.

Learn More About Your Rights After a Tragedy

• The Ultimate Guide to Wrongful Death Lawsuits
• How Dram Shop Laws Hold Bars Accountable
• What to Do After a Fatal Car Accident

Attorney911 — Fighting for Texas Families Since 1998.