HOUSTON—
A Houston firefighter says he's fighting the biggest battle of his life: keeping drunk drivers off the streets.Mark Rodriguez' daughter, Krysta, was killed in a crash earlier this year and he has developed an organization that is ready to help victims of drunk drivers.
"It's tough everyday," he said.
It hasn't been easy for Rodriguez to forget the day his daughter was killed. He visits the spot where he held her for the last time almost every day.
"Once they removed her from the vehicle, I was allowed to give her a hug and a kiss," Rodriguez said.
Krysta and her boyfriend were pulling out of fast food restaurant when a pickup truck smashed into the side of their car. Krysta died at the scene and her boyfriend sustained minor injuries.
Police said Thomas Boyd was behind the wheel of the pickup. He was charged with intoxication manslaughter. Under his agreement, an ignition interlock device was placed in his vehicle.
Rodriguez and his family developed a non-profit organization called Krysta's Karing Angels. They plan on helping families of drunk driving victims.
"We will go to them with supplies and some support," Rodriguez said.
Another stepping stone for Rodriguez was placing a memorial sign on Highway 6 as a warning to drivers who drink and drive.
Rodriguez wants drivers to think twice before they get behind the wheel.
"Because of this crash, our family and friends got sentenced to never being able to see her do anything else," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said nothing will ever fill the void in his heart. He said as long as he has air in his lungs, he will be fighting to keep drunk drivers off the streets.
Boyd's trial is set to begin Oct. 7.
If you would like to donate to the organization or need assistance from them, go to: krystaskaringangels.com
