Motorist guilty in fatal drunken driving wreck

Teen killed, another seriously hurt

SAN ANTONIO – Testimony was nearing an end Monday in the punishment phase of the intoxication manslaughter trial of Hector Gramajo.

In addition to the intoxication manslaughter charge, Gramajo was also found guilty to intoxication assault charges.

He was found guilty of driving drunk on the night of July 26, 2009, when he slammed his pickup truck broadside into a van carrying four teenagers.

According to testimony his blood alcohol level was .11 nearly three hours after the crash.

Andrea Blanco, 15, was killed. Another teen suffered serious injuries.

Following the wreck, Gramajo was released on bond with an alcohol monitoring bracelet attacked to his leg.

The operator of the company that provided the device testified on Monday that tracking information show that Gramajo tampered with the device 18 time and that it registered alcohol consumption three times.

That was a violation of the conditions of his bond and Gramajo was jailed awaiting trial.

Jury deliberations in the punishment phase of Gramajo's trial are expected to begin on Tuesday in Judge Mary Roman's 175th District Court .

He is facing up to 20 years in prison on the intoxication manslaughter charge and up to 10 years on the intoxication assault charge.

Gramajo is also eligible for probation.


About the Author:

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.