Carefree driver slams into baby
The driver of a late-model, convertible Mercedes Benz that slammed into a mother and her two daughters had a carefree attitude and even denied any accident took place, authorities said.
Julie Ann Bronson, 42, is free on bond after being arrested Thursday evening on two counts of intoxicated assault and two counts of failure to stop and render aid.
Bronson is accused of driving the Mercedes Benz, which jumped a curb and struck the family in front of their yard on Rogers Place, near Rogers Ranch Parkway, at 8 p.m. Thursday. The family was outside doing yard work at the time of the accident, police said.
An 18-month-old baby, Ava Lopez, was critically injured, while the 36-year-old mother, Traci Lopez, and her unidentified 3-year-old daughter suffered minor injuries.
After the incident, police spotted Bronson driving east on Loop 1604. She was weaving on the highway with her emergency flashers on and, even though the car’s top was down, she appeared as if she wasn’t aware that she was driving without two left tires, according to a police report.
The car was emitting sparks and smoke from the rims grinding into the asphalt, the report states.
Police said damage also was found on her car. According to the report, police said there was a softball-sized impression on the window.
Authorities said the baby, which suffered a punctured lung and injuries to her head, remains in critical condition at University Hospital.
