Heartbreaking Loss Prompts Texas Police to Step Up Patrols

Every night when I leave the radio station, one fear haunts me more than any other, being hit by a drunk driver. I’ve seen the weaving cars, the ones with headlights off, and the near-misses that make my heart stop. Unfortunately, I’m not alone. Drunk driving is still one of the biggest threats on Texas roads.

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From June 26 through July 13, the Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement across the Lone Star State are stepping up patrols to get drunk drivers off the roads. It’s all part of TxDOT’s statewide “Drive Sober. No Regrets.” campaign.

The Heartbreaking Story of Kelsey Nalepa

This campaign carries a face, that of 8-year-old Kelsey Nalepa. She was riding with her father Marcus on the way to softball practice in League City when a drunk driver slammed into their car just feet from her school. Kelsey died two days later from brain injuries.

A simple trip to practice. A life forever lost.

Now, her parents, Nicole and Marcus, are begging Texans to think ahead before drinking. “It’s not hard to make arrangements ahead of time,” Nicole says. A roadside memorial near the school reads:

“Please don’t drink and drive. In honor of Kelsey Nalepa who was killed in 2017”

Marcus says, “If that sign saves one family, it is well worth it.”

The Stats Are Still Staggering in Texas

Even though most Texans know better, over 1,000 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2024. That’s three Texans lost every single day because someone chose to drink and drive.

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And now that summer is here, along with the Fourth of July, the risk is even higher.

Extra Enforcement Begins June 26

Starting June 26 through July 13, Texas law enforcement will be on high alert. Extra patrols. More checkpoints. Tougher enforcement. It’s not about punishment, it’s about prevention.

“Making the choice to drive drunk instead of finding a sober ride home can and does lead to serious consequences,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “No one wants to live the rest of their life knowing they caused the death of another person.”

Every Life on the Road Matters

The “Drive Sober. No Regrets.” campaign and TxDOT’s traveling video exhibit, Faces of Drunk Driving, are putting real people front and center. Survivors. Offenders. Grieving families. It’s not just about the numbers, it’s about the faces behind the tragedies.

Every driver you pass could be a dad heading home from work. A mom on the way to daycare. A kid going to practice. Drive like a Texan: Be Kind. Courteous. and Safe.

Let’s make sure no other Texas family suffers like the Nalepa's did.