Bexar County investigators say her mother crashed into a pole while driving drunk with six children in the vehicle.
BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — An 11-year-old girl is in critical condition after Bexar County investigators say her mother crashed into a pole while driving drunk with six children in the vehicle.
The girl, identified by her father as Myla Collier, remains intubated in the ICU with a brain injury and skull fracture. Her siblings — ages 2 to 12 — were also in the SUV and taken to the hospital but are now home.
The crash happened just before 2 p.m. Friday on Binz-Engleman Road. Deputies say 31-year-old Brittany Winston was speeding at least 65 mph in a 45 mph zone when she veered off the road and hit a pole.
Investigators say none of the children were wearing seat belts.
Witnesses who saw the crash stopped to help, breaking windows and pulling the children out of the SUV. “Once we lifted up the airbags, there was a whole family in the car,” said witness Shina Elam. “We had to pull out two from the back of the trunk because we couldn’t get to them.”
Winston was taken to a hospital, where deputies say she showed signs of intoxication. A blood test later indicated she was over the legal limit and tested positive for drugs, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. She is now facing 14 felony charges, including intoxication assault and injury to a child.
Myla’s father, Myles Collier, said he received a call Friday afternoon telling him four of his children had been involved in the crash. He said he’s been balancing fear, anger and heartbreak as he waits for his daughter to recover.
“It’s not that you didn’t protect them,” he said. “You failed.”
Collier said he is devastated by the injuries his daughter suffered.
“She didn’t deserve that,” he said. “She’s amazing, she’s beautiful, she’s smart — she’s everything.”
He urged drivers to think about the consequences of getting behind the wheel while impaired.
“It’s not worth it,” Collier said. “Now you have an 11-year-old girl fighting for her life. It’s easy not to drink and drive — just don’t get in your vehicle.”
As of Monday night, Winston remained in jail. Collier said his focus now is on his children and on Myla’s recovery, asking the community for prayers.