Woman, 21, pleads guilty in intoxication manslaughter trial

SAPD: Taylor Rosenbusch driving 3 times over legal limit

Before her trial on two counts of intoxication manslaughter began, Taylor Rosenbusch, 21, pleaded guilty to both counts.

Driving drunk -- and with her blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit, at .26 -- Rosenbusch drove the wrong way on Interstate 35 at Toepperwein Road in the early morning hours of May 8, 2011, police investigators said.

She crashed head-on into a car occupied by Keith Hernandez, 23, and Tony Morin, 45, as the men drove to work.

Both men were killed.

"The collision was so violent that it decimated the front end of (their car)," said prosecutor Eric Fuchs during opening arguments on Tuesday. "There was nothing left."

Among the first people on the scene was an off-duty San Antonio police officer.

"When I opened the door, she looked at me and just basically told me, ‘Well, hello,'" Officer Steve Prescott testified. "I said, 'Just hang in there. EMS is on the way.' And she asked me, 'Why?'"

The jury was later taken to a parking lot outside the courthouse where prosecutors had placed the two vehicles for a firsthand look at the wreckage.

During opening remarks, Rosenbusch's lawyers said there was more to the case that they asked the jury to consider.

Among the things they say they will offer is evidence of Rosenbusch's troubled life. And the fact that she was over-served alcohol at a party prior to the crash.

Rosenbusch is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each intoxication manslaughter count.

Testimony will continue on Wednesday in 226th District Court.

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About the Author:

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