High-Heeled Tragedy: Porsche Driver’s Louboutin Shoes Blamed for Fatal Accident, Says Lawyer

A Texas woman of considerable means finds herself entangled in a legal battle after a tragic incident involving her luxury vehicle. Kristina Chambers, who hails from a well-off Houston neighborhood, is facing allegations of causing a fatal accident while driving her $100,000 Porsche 911 Carrera. The victim, Joseph McMullin, was struck while walking along a sidewalk during a first date, leading to a courtroom defense centered on an unusual factor: her footwear.

In the courtroom, Chambers’ attorney, Mark Thiessen, presented a defense claiming that it was her Christian Louboutin heels that contributed to the unfortunate event. “This is one of Houston’s most dangerous curves,” Thiessen argued, suggesting that her foot became stuck on the gas pedal, resulting in what he described as a “freak accident.” This explanation, however, contrasts sharply with the prosecution’s perspective.

Harris County Assistant District Attorney Andrew Figliuzzi painted a different picture for the jury, asserting that Chambers was eager to flaunt her high-performance sports car. The prosecution emphasized the fact that Chambers had a blood-alcohol content of .301 at the time of the crash—nearly four times the legal limit in Texas. This, they argued, was the real reason behind the tragic event, rather than a mere footwear malfunction.

The incident, which took place in April 2023, also involved two of Chambers’ friends who were with her in the car. One of them, Sebastian Lopez, labeled her as an “alcoholic” during a deposition for a wrongful death lawsuit initiated by McMullin’s family. Lopez further claimed that Chambers frequently engaged in drug use, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal proceedings.

The prosecutor noted how Chambers, who had a .301 blood-alcohol content — roughly four times the legal limit in Texas — was allegedly drinking and driving with two of her friends when the April 2023 crash occurred. One of the pals, Sebastian Lopez, described her as an “alcoholic” in a deposition as part of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by McMullin’s family, which is still pending, and claimed she regularly did drugs.

Chambers’ ex-husband, a wealthy portfolio manager identified in the lawsuit as Xuan Si, allegedly purchased the Porsche that Chambers was driving just months before the deadly incident. He did this despite “knowing she was an unfit driver” with a drinking problem, the lawsuit alleges.

Chambers, 34, faces a criminal charge of intoxicated manslaughter in connection with McMullin’s death. She allegedly visited four bars on the night of the crash – Lola’s Depot, The Eagle Houston, The Ripcord and JR’s Bar & Grill — which have been named in the wrongful death lawsuit. A manager at a pool hall near the crash site testified last week about rushing to help McMullin and seeing one of the worst scenes he’s ever witnessed.

“I’ve seen so many accidents on that road,” Alfredo Ponce said, according to the Chronicle.

McMullin had just finished a night of karaoke with his date, Briana Iturrino, and the pair were walking through Montrose to get a snack at Voodoo Doughnut when Chambers allegedly slammed into McMullin at around 2:25 a.m. as they walked along the 1200 block of Westheimer. Iturrino reportedly testified last Friday about what she saw.

“I thought he had gotten out of the way because I couldn’t find him,” Iturrino said, noting how McMullin was hurled about 30 feet away from her upon impact.

Surveillance video allegedly shows Chambers speeding in her Porsche before striking McMullin and throwing him into the air before she crashes into a pole. Prosecutors say drugs, including cocaine, were found inside the vehicle. Chambers and two passengers in the Porsche were hospitalized before Chambers was arrested.

McMullin was declared dead by paramedics just minutes after the crash.

“This was an unspeakable tragedy that could have been prevented by any number of factors that evening, all that would lead to Joseph continuing to live a happy and thriving life,” said lawyer Jesus Garcia, Jr., who represents McMullin’s family, in a 2023 statement to reporters. “While the grief of the McMullin family will never subside, we must act against all parties who bear responsibility to ensure a senseless tragedy like this never again occurs.”