CONROE—The harsh consequences of drunk driving were on graphic display in a Conroe courtroom Friday, as an unusual, yet compelling witness appeared at a convict’s sentencing hearing.
Prosecutors wheeled the comatose victim, Carlo Lujan, into the courtroom to demonstrate the devastating impact of the crime. Lujan was 20 years old when the car he was driving was plowed into from behind on State Road 105 in Montgomery County in August of 2009.
“We wanted the world to see what this crime can do,” said Tyler Dunman, the lead prosecutor working the case for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
Stephen Burks was deemed at fault for the accident. At the time his blood alcohol level was well above the legal limit.
Burks plead guilty to two counts of intoxication assault. The judge sentenced him to 10 years behind bars and 10 years probation. Burks must serve at least five years behind bars until he’s eligible for parole.
“I think it’s fair,” said Burks as police escorted him from the courthouse to the county jail.
Lujan used to sing and served as a youth minister at his father’s church. He had just finished talking to teens about the challenges they might face in life on the night of the accident.
“He encouraged them to have faith and told them the bible was their GPS,” said his mother Armida Lujan.
Now at age 22, her son remains in a vegetative state.
“It’s been devastating going through all of this with Carlo,” said his mother. “We have to care for him like a baby.”
