Houston, Texas — A wealthy Texas woman, accused of killing a man on his first date after allegedly driving drunk and crashing her Porsche at high speed, has claimed that her expensive designer heels — not intoxication — were to blame.
According to prosecutors, Kristina Chambers, 34, was driving her blue Porsche 911 Carrera at more than 70 mph when she struck Joseph McMullin, 33, around 2:25 a.m. on April 19, 2023, near Voodoo Doughnut in Houston.
McMullin had just left the donut shop and was walking with his date, Briana Iturrino, when Chambers’ car jumped the curb and struck him. The Houston Police Department said Chambers “failed to maintain a single lane,” lost control of her Porsche, and hit a pole after fatally striking McMullin.
Prosecutors told the Houston Chronicle that McMullin was thrown nearly 30 feet in the air. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Chambers and two passengers in the vehicle were taken to nearby hospitals.
Chambers was arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter after police alleged she showed clear signs of intoxication. She has pleaded not guilty.
During her ongoing trial, prosecutors claimed officers discovered small bags of cocaine in the back seat of Chambers’ Porsche and inside her purse. They also alleged that Chambers spent the evening dining at a restaurant before visiting at least three bars, consuming multiple alcoholic drinks, and using cocaine prior to the crash.
Authorities said her blood alcohol content (BAC) measured .301 — roughly four times the legal limit — about an hour after the collision.
Prosecutor Andrew Figliuzzi argued that Chambers was “itching to show off her sports car,” driving recklessly through one of Houston’s most dangerous curves.
Chambers’ defense attorney, Mark Thiessen, described the tragedy as a “freak accident.” He told jurors that Chambers’ Christian Louboutin heels got stuck on the gas pedal, causing her to lose control of the Porsche. He added that the sharp curve in the road contributed to the crash.
McMullin’s family has filed a civil lawsuit against Chambers, seeking $1 million in damages for their son’s wrongful death, according to court documents.
If convicted, Chambers faces two to 20 years in prison.
