Wealthy Houston tradeswoman, 32, killed drunk man by crashing Porsche into him at 100 mph
The wife of a wealthy Texas merchant appeared in court Wednesday on charges of drunken homicide after she rammed her Porsche into a man at 100 mph as the victim was walking down the sidewalk on their first date with a woman .
Kristina Chambers, 32, was driving her blue Porsche 911 Carrera at 100 mph on April 20 at 2:25 a.m. through the Montrose neighborhood of Houston, with a female and male passenger.
She had been drinking heavily and was four times over the legal limit, it is alleged.
Chambers failed to make a turn in the road and crashed into the sidewalk, instantly killing 33-year-old Joseph McMullin, who was walking by.
McMullin, an audio engineer and music enthusiast, had been on a first date with Brianna Iturrino, and the pair were out walking to get donuts at a late night spot, when tragedy struck.
Kristina Chambers, 32 (left), crashed her Porsche at 2:30 a.m. in Houston, while driving at 100 mph while over the alcohol limit four times. She hit Joseph McMullin (right), killing him instantly
McMullin and his date, Brianna Iturrino, walk down the sidewalk as the Porsche approaches the bend in the road
Shortly after the crash, a devastated Iturrino can be seen talking to a police officer
“We went to karaoke at AvantGarden,” Iturrino recalled I LOVE. After spending some time in the bar, the couple looked for something to eat.
“When we got out, the taco truck was closed, but he knew Voodoo was going to open.
He asked if I wanted to bring my car. I said, ‘Well, it’s not that far, we can walk. Fresh air.”
She said they had just left the donut shop when Iturrino said she saw the Porsche coming at them really fast.
She told police she saw a flash and then tried to find McMullin.
Chambers continued for a few more yards before finally crashing into a post.
Chambers’ wrecked Porsche is photographed at the scene in the early hours of April 20
McMullin’s body was flung 30 feet (9 m) out of the wreckage upon impact of the crash
The three passengers in the Porsche all survived, although the man was unconscious
Brianna Iturrino said they had been at a karaoke bar and were getting donuts when he was hit
McMullin, whose body was flung about 30 feet from the wreckage, died on the spot.
“He really loved music. It was one of the things we bonded over,” Iturrino said.
“He said he wouldn’t sing, but he wanted to hear me sing.”
The suspect was traveling in the Porsche with two other people, a man and a woman, neither of whom are reported to have suffered serious injuries, although the man was unconscious when he was taken from the crime scene.
Chambers was charged Monday and appeared in court Wednesday.
She lives in the Montrose area with her husband of six years, Xuan Si, a portfolio manager, in a large house bought with a $1 million mortgage.
Chambers entered 339th District Court on Wednesday, still visibly injured from the crash, in a wheelchair with her arm in a sling.
Her attorney, Mark Thiessen, said Chambers broke her leg and collarbone in the impact.
He told the court she was not guilty and cited bad road conditions on the streets of Houston as the reason why Chambers lost control of her vehicle.
Thiessen described Chambers as unemployed and noted in court that her husband is the sole breadwinner.
Chambers and her husband of six years, Xuan Si, live in this house in Houston, which they bought with a $1 million mortgage. She is not working and he is the only provider
Assistant District Attorney Kelly Marshall told the court that Chambers’ actions were criminal.
“There was a lot of alcohol in her body,” Marshall said, adding that traces of suspected drugs — possibly Adderall and cocaine — were also found in her purse.
Chambers told police she had a beer at 9:30 p.m., but nothing else until the 2:30 a.m. crash.
Judge Te’iva Bell ordered Chambers held on $50,000 bond and banned her from driving unless she gets a job.
Chambers must install a landline in her home to demonstrate compliance with those terms.
McMullin’s family paid tribute to a loving uncle, music lover and kind soul.
Born in Houston, he graduated from Stratford High School and later from Houston Community College.
His mother Lynn, father Chris, younger brother Matthew and his wife Anna all remembered him as someone with a true love of life and a large number of friends.
McMullin was remembered by his family as a kind and loving brother and uncle
“Good people are attracted to good people, and Joe had nothing but wonderful people to support, love, and encourage him,” his obituary says.
“Life can be hard sometimes – he never gave up and always did the right things to persevere.
“He ran half-marathons, paved his own path to vegetarianism, and was confident enough to attend concerts alone, often way too early to be at the front of the stage. He lived through life so courageously.
“He was passionate about music, arts and entertainment, movies, social justice, and most of all, people.
“You could find Joe several times a week at a local record store, at a concert, or at a theater production. He enjoyed all genres of music and his record collection reflects that.
Joe enjoyed food, from trying new fun baking recipes to cooking vegetarian dishes to his love of Taco Bell. Joe also liked a cold Dr Pepper (or two, or three).’
His mother told The Houston Chronicle how she went to the 2012 Coachella music festival with him, for the experience.
“I didn’t belong to Coachella, but there we were,” she said.
He took his father to the London group Black Midi in September, guessing correctly that he would enjoy their music.
Anna McMullin said he adored his cousin Hazel and was so excited about the imminent arrival of a second girl in a month.
Anna and Matthew McMullin plan to name her Joelle in his honor.
“He couldn’t wait to buy them their first Lego sets – and take them to their first music festival years later,” Anna said.
Lynn McMullin said her son wouldn’t have wanted them to dwell on his death.
“He would want us to be together and be brave,” she said.
Chris McMullin added, “The rest will work itself out.”