Honorary DWI checkpoint for two sisters

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) - Law enforcement joined together with the family members of two young teens killed by a repeat drunk driver in Santa Fe to honor them Sunday night, in a way they hope will keep a tragedy like this from ever happening to someone else.

It's been nearly three years since sisters Del and Deshauna Peshlakai were killed when a drunk driver slammed into the back of their family car. Their parents were also in that car, and are working to keep their daughters' memories alive.

Santa Fe police are stopped drivers Sunday night in an honorary DWI checkpoint, at the scene near Cerrillos road, the site of the crash that killed the two sisters back on March 5, in 2010.
     
The two teens were riding in the backseat with their parents, heading back from a high school basketball game. The girls were known for playing basketball at their High School, but would never get to be back on the court again.

Fifteen people were involved in the five car pileup that night, caused by James Ruiz. The case was the fifth DWI arrest for Ruiz.

Sunday, the parents of the two sisters hope their story will stop drunk drivers.

"Drunk driving has taken two people from us and we'll never get them back," said Darlene Thomas, the victims' mother. "So that's why we don't want this to happen, if we can prevent from happening to another family, so be it."

Governor Susana Martinez was there tonight as well.

"We need to as a state, pass on the message to those who drink that they're not to get behind the wheel, that they're not to start to drive and drive amongst the innocent," said Martinez.

The Governor said she's pushing for tougher legislation against repeat DWI offenders. She said 60 percent of repeat offenders are responsible for DWI related deaths. Ruiz pleaded guilty and is serving 40 years in prison for causing the crash.