Friday was an emotional day in a Williamson County courtroom as a drunk driver who killed four people met his fate.
As the sun was about to set on August 10th last year, three heavily damaged vehicles were strewn about Texas Highway 29Th in Jonah. Two people, Pete Mendez and Paula Martinez died at the scene, while Crystal Martinez and Stephanie Valadez would die later from their injuries.
Investigators would determine that 48-year-old Luke Looschen had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit on that night and was driving in the wrong lane causing the deadly accident. Prior to sentencing, the defense argued that as a veteran, and someone who often donated his time to help improve the community, Looschen was simply a good man who made a bad decision.
"The decision he made that day to drive drunk, totally wipes out the good he's ever done and that's I'm sad for him that all the good he did is not going to be remembered it's going to be so overshadowed by this decision," said Nancy Valadez, the aunt of Stephanie Valadez.
Prosecutors argued that Looschen had a habit of making the same bad decision of drinking and driving. In fact, he was involved in a non-injury DWI wreck less than a month before the deadly Jonah accident. In the end, Looschen, a one time friend and neighbor of district attorney John Bradley, was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
"This man is likely to die in prison on this particular case," said Bradley.
"That man is going to go behind bars for the rest of his life and they lost somebody too, the daughter was in there, she lost her dad, but I lost my cousin and they, we lost the other family members, it's just bitter sweet," said Savanah Minjarez, the cousin of Stephanie Valadez.
"I don't want my niece to have night terrors anymore, I just want it all to go away it will never go away, it will always be with us," said Missy Minjarez, the aunt of Stephanie Valadez.
While Looschen was sentenced to 50 years, he will be eligible for parole in 25 years.
