UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — The tearful parents of three young children killed in a shocking New Year's weekend drunk driving tragedy called the driver's guilty plea in a Prince George's County courtroom Monday a "bittersweet moment."
"We're so happy this is almost over," sobbed Juanita Mejias. "Even though this is not going to heal us, I know my beautiful children are looking down and saying 'good job' to Mommy and Daddy for still fighting."
Driver Thomas Daniel Hawks admitted to telling police he had consumed 10 beers at FedEx field during a Redskins game before climbing into his 2007 Silverado pickup truck to drive home the evening of Dec. 30, 2018.
Evidence showed Hawks was going 69 mph as he approached a red light on southbound Indianhead Highway at Kerby Hill Road, where he rear-ended the Mejia family's sedan.
The Mejia's three children, twins Rosalie and Alexis and 1-year-old Isaac were killed and the parents were injured. All three children were in the back seat.
The family was returning home from a church service.
Hawks had a blood alcohol level of .17, which is more than double Maryland's legal limit.
According to testimony given by prosecutors Hawks was found by police behind the wheel of his wrecked truck repeating to someone on the phone "I messed up" over and over.
Police had to forcibly remove him from the truck. Hawks later fell backwards while sitting on a guard rail, prosecutors said.
Hawks could face up to 36 years in prison.
He will be sentenced on September 26th.
Hawks will be free on $80,000 bond until the sentencing. He was ordered not to drive or drink while free.