Harris County constables, the District Attorney’s Office and MADD are joining forces with a husband and father whose family died in a drunken-driving crash to urge residents to celebrate responsibly this holiday season, District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Monday.
On Tuesday, against the backdrop of the crushed vehicle in which Damien House’s wife and young sons lost their lives when a drunk driver smashed into their car on FM 2920 in Spring, Pct. 1 Constable Alan Rosen and Pct. 4 Constable Mark Hermann, along with DA Ogg and MADD Victim Services Director Julio Zaghi, will highlight the tragic impact and legal consequences of DWI. The DA’s Office also will present a check to MADD to fund victims services for up to $108,349.
The news conference will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at 23828 Tomball Parkway, at the storage lot where the victims’ vehicle is kept in evidence. All eight county constables and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez have been invited to attend.
“One selfish act by Daniel Canada, who was drinking and driving drunk, devastated the House family,” Ogg said. “We’re partnering with MADD to prevent drunken driving and provide support to victims of alcohol-related crashes. Especially during the holidays, we want to remind and warn the public to have a plan to get home safely.”
In 2021, the DA’s Office has accepted 15,000 DWI charges, 51 intoxication manslaughter charges and 68 intoxication assault charges.
At the news conference, Damien House will tell his story of losing his wife, Porsha Branch, and sons Drake House, 7 months; Messiah House, 2; and King House, 5. Canada is charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter in their deaths. According to Pct. 4 investigators, Canada was driving on FM 2920 near Gosling in Spring in March of this year when he slammed into the back of Branch’s car with such force that it was pushed into a car in front of it and burst into flames. Branch and Drake died in the crash. Messiah and King later died at a hospital. Canada’s blood-alcohol level was .15, the investigators said.
“We are seeking maximum accountability in all four intoxication manslaughter cases,” Ogg said. The defendant faces five years to life in prison on each count, and the judge can sentence them consecutively, said Vehicular Crimes Division Chief Sean Teare. Canada is currently in jail with bond set at $1.1 million.
