Family Of DUI Crash Victim Warns Public Of Drinking & Driving

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The family of 22-year old who died in a drunk driving accident is asking the public to avoid another tragedy on the road this holiday season.

Two years later, it's just as difficult for Ivania Reinoso to talk about the loss of her daughter, Irina, as it was the day it happened.

"As a parent your heart just...it's a struggle...," said Reinoso.

In August 2013, 22-year-old Irina was a passenger in a smart car driven by her friend.
She was driving drunk and texting when she ran a red light near downtown Miami, crashing into a pick-up truck. Irina was killed on impact.

"My daughter is no longer with us and we just have to think back on all the memories we have with her around this time of the year," said Reinoso.

Ivania is lending her voice to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) to prevent another tragedy.

Her message is simple.

"Around the holidays everybody drinks and drives. If you're going to drink, do not drive," said Reinoso.

In the last year, more than 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence.

Troopers will be making sure another life isn't lost in South Florida this holiday.

"We will be out as we are every year filling, enforcing state roads to make sure that if you are caught drinking and driving, you will go to jail," said FHP Trooper Joe Sanchez.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their lives.

They are statistics Reinoso is hoping her daughter's story helps reduce.

"Parents do not go through this. Kids do not let your parents go through this. It's he hardest thing as a parent you can live in your lifetime," said Ivania.

During the holiday season if you are going to drink, there is a website that will help you find free ways to get home.