Accused drunk driver in deadly Fort Worth crash must wear ankle monitor while out on bond
FORT WORTH, Texas - New documents acquired by FOX 4 show the bond conditions for the 19-year-old accused of driving drunk and killing five people in a crash in Fort Worth.
Eduardo Gonzalez of Fort Worth is charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.
Gonzalez posted a $150,000 surety bond and was released from the Tarrant County Jail on Friday.
While out on bond, Gonzalez will be required to wear an alcohol-detecting ankle monitor and submit urine samples and DNA samples.
Any vehicle Gonzalez drives is required to have a camera-equipped ignition interlock device and he cannot possess any weapons or use illegal drugs.
Eduardo Gonzalez (Source: Fort Worth Police)
A criminal defense attorney not involved in the case says, while certainly a tragic situation, the bond amount is pretty standard for these types of felony charges as are the enhanced bond conditions.
It's unclear when Gonzalez is due back in court.
Fort Worth Crash Victims
Amber Hopewell, her three children, Elijah Caroll, Chrystale Cobbin and Amiyah Fisher, and her boyfriend, Willie Gunn, were killed in the crash, according to court documents.
The family was driving on I-35W early in the morning on August 19, 2024, when Gonzalez's Camaro crashed into their sedan. The sedan hit a barrier and burst into flames.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office said DNA tests will be needed to formally identify four of the five victims.
Father speaks after daughter killed in crash with accused drunk driver: 'I wouldn't wish this on anybody'
Amiyah Lashae Rose Fisher was the youngest victim in a crash that killed five people in Fort Worth on Monday. On Thursday, the young girl's father spoke to FOX 4 about the crash.
"Scientific testing for DNA human identification is a process utilized whenever the remains are not suitable for visual, fingerprint, or odontology (dental) identification methods," said the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office in a statement to FOX 4.
All DNA testing will be performed at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth.
Families Devastated
Willie’s nieces, Jacresia Gunn, Franchesta Gunn and Tia Jones, say they found out Gonzalez had been released from the Tarrant County Jail on Friday hours after doing a balloon release in his memory. They say no one from the Fort Worth Police Department or the DA’s office told them.
"Words can’t express or explain the hurt that we’re going through or feeling right now," Jacresia said.
"I was mad," Jone said. "I still want answers. I want to know why."
"He shouldn’t even be able to drive at all," Franchesta said. "Even if he has a license or whatever, he still should be able to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. That’s how I feel."
Hopewell's mother released a statement to FOX 4 saying, "Words cannot express our feelings as we will miss our daughter/sister, nephew/nieces. She was a loving mother to her young children, and we hope and pray that justice is served in this senseless tragedy."