Breast cancer survivor killed by alleged drunk driver

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A cross marks the spot where Sheila Kennerson-Lovings was killed by an alleged drunk driver on Laura Koppe.

"It just seems like all the really good people who are out in the world trying to make a difference and do the right thing are always taken too soon," says her daughter Sorita Alexander.

Alexander says her mom was one of those people. Kennerson-Lovings was killed the night of July 3 in an accident in the 2900 block of Laura Koppe. Her life of joy had been redefined by surviving tragedy in recent years, including breast cancer.

"She had to do chemo for about six to eithg months. Then she had a mastectomy. Then after that she had her reconstructive surgery. And on the very last chemo, my brother was killed in a car accident going back to school during a horrible rain storm."

That was in 2004.

Then late the night of July 3, she was eastbound on Laura Koppe when 34-year old Maria Guadalupe Udave's SUV swerved into her lane and slammed into her Toyota Camry head-on. Police say Udalve was drunk.

"My family is torn apart because a major asset in our family is not with us anymore because of someone who decided to take a drink instead of thinking about the consequences they may have," says the Kennerson-Lovings' sister Cynethia Kennerson.

"Just because you think you're OK, you're not," warned Sorita Alexander. "If you just take a little bit of time to call somebody. I don't want nobody else to feel how I feel."

HPD says Udave and a male passenger were arguing when the crash happened. Her attorney says it was her boyfriend. He ran off after the crash -- a move this family says was cowardly.

"Why did you run? Why weren't you there trying to help my mom?" questioned Sorita Alexander.

Maria Udave remains in Harris County jail on an intoxication manslaughter charge. Her attorney tells us what happened was not because of her being drunk. He says her boyfriend grabbed the wheel and swerved the car into the victim's lane.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office says it's aware of that claim, but that it is not consistent with the evidence.