The legal proceedings against Samantha Castillo, who has admitted guilt in intoxication manslaughter for the fatal accident involving cyclist Beatrice Gonzales in 2021, have moved to the sentencing phase. As reported by FOX San Antonio, Castillo's acknowledgment of the crime occurred after an incident where she drove under the influence and collided with Gonzales, leading to her death.

This case has garnered significant local attention, especially among the cycling community in San Antonio. Pleading for a maximum penalty, the victim's daughter, Danielle Gonzales recounted in an eerie detail the moment of the incident during a call with her mother, "I was going crazy. I didn't know what happened at the time. All I heard was the phone drop and her call my name and I just heard all the commotion," Danielle told FOX San Antonio. In the ongoing trial, it emerged, as prosecutors noted with some driving, Castillo had consumed at least 11 drinks before the fatal accident.

Danielle Gonzales expressed her desire for justice in the case: "Prison, the max. My mom didn't do anything wrong in this situation," she said. Her sentiment echoes that of many in the cycling community who feel vulnerable and seek reassurance that their safety is being taken seriously by the justice system.

Advocacy for cyclist safety has been a vocal point in the backdrop of this tragedy. A part of that dialogue has involved Veronica Salas, herself an advocate, who spoke of the collective apprehension felt among cyclists when sharing the road with motorists. "It definitely makes us feel weary when we are on the road," Salas recounted. Alongside grieving families, they share hoping that a substantial sentence for Castillo could stand as a caution against the dire consequences of drunk driving.

The community watches as the judiciary contemplates the weight of loss against the backdrop of legal consequence. Meanwhile, the cycling advocates continue to push for increased road safety measures, asserting, as Salas hopes, that the outcome of this case might demonstrate that "cyclists in San Antonio their lives matter too."