HOUSTON (AP) _ A Houston man was legally intoxicated several hours after he allegedly lost control of his car, which plunged into a rain-filled ditch and killed five children.
Chanton Jenkins, who was talking on a cell phone, was the father of at least four of the children. He was charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter.
The Houston Chronicle reports a prosecutor said yesterday that Jenkins’ two breath tests registered blood alcohol levels of 0.079 percent and 0.082 percent. The legal limit is 0.08 percent.
Officials said Jenkins, 32 was legally drunk 2 1/2 hours after the car plunged into the ditch at Green Bayou Saturday.
Jenkins, his brother and 10-year-old Jada Barnes survived.
Jenkins told the judge in court yesterday during a probable cause hearing that he would hire his own attorney.
The judge held him until his next court hearing scheduled Tuesday in state district court.