Mom Sues Drunk Driver, Restaurant Who Served Him Related To Daughter's Death In North Austin

NORTH AUSTIN, TX — A woman is suing a man who was driving drunk when he slammed into her late daughter's car and the restaurant she alleges served him alcohol excessively, according to a news report.

Maleeca Smith, 20, was killed at close to 2:30 a.m. on April 2015 in North Austin on Gracy Farms Lane and Burnet Road, KXAN reported. Police determined Shawn Amende, 26, was driving drunk when he ran a red light and slammed in her car after having had drinks at the Casa Chapala Mexican Grill eatery.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in Amende's car at the time also was severely injured but survived.

The victim's mother, Measha Smith, claims in her lawsuit claims Casa Chapala staff served Amende alcohol despite having been spotted unconscious on a table earlier, the news station reported. At the time of her death, Maleeca was a sophomore at the University of Texas at San Antonio who had come to Austin to visit her mom and sister for the weekend.

Officials at the restaurant being accused of improperly serving alcohol to Amende did not immediately return a call for comment.

An obituary in the All Faiths Funeral Services website described Maleeca as something of a "social butterfly" who was distinguished by her radiant smile. "She was an example of a person who has a gentle and quite spirit," the obituary reads. "She was very caring and respectful. She was known for her beautiful smile. Although she was tiny in size, she had a big personality."

>>> Read the full story at KXAN

Photo of Shawn Amende via Travis County Jail records