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Grammy Winning Singer Charged with DWI in Harris County

Posted on Mar 08, 2009

Tejano singer and Grammy winner Emilio Navaira is facing a class-A misdemeanor driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge, which is one year after his bus crash, according to a KPRC Local 2.

The singer turned himself in to authorities the evening of Friday, March 6, 2009. Navaira has since been released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to be back in court on March 13, 2009 for his arraignment.

According to Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Navaira had a .08 percent blood-alcohol level when he crashed his tour bus Easter morning. The Bellaire police said that after a concert and a night of excessive drinking, Navaira and his band got into their bus and drove toward San Antonio. The bus crashed on the West Loop at the Southwest Freeway.

Navaira was ejected from the driver’s seat and sustained serious brain and bodily injuries. Some of the band members were also injured. The Grammy winner has already had two brain surgeries and still needs more, said his doctors.

“Only recently did we feel that Emilio was mentally healthy enough to cooperate and work with his attorney and to face the charges against him,” said prosecutor Warren Diepraam.

Navaira’s attorney responded to the singer’s charges by saying, "We anticipate Emilio turning himself in and posting the appropriate bond in the next couple of days. We look forward to discussing the case after we have an opportunity to review the state's file. Our continued concern is for Emilio's health and recovery from his injuries."