Topline: Kristina Chambers is on trial for manslaughter after her Porsche struck and killed a man in Houston, claiming her designer shoes caused the vehicle to accelerate.
Published: October 25, 2025 8:04 am ET
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Kristina Chambers mugshot, Joseph McMullin obituary.(via Houston Police; Dignity Memorial)
HOUSTON, TX — A Texas woman accused of driving drunk and fatally striking a pedestrian claims her designer high heels caused the crash.
Kristina Chambers, 34, faces a charge of second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of Joseph McMullin, 33, who was hit by Chambers’ speeding Porsche 911 Carrera.
The incident occurred the morning of April 19, 2023, as McMullin was walking from a Houston doughnut shop with his date.
Chambers, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, allegedly raced around a curve in the roadway at a speed of 70 mph, according to prosecutors. The posted speed limit for the road was not specified in court documents, but the speed was reportedly in excess of the curve’s safe limit.
The Houston Police Department stated in a news release that Chambers failed to maintain a single lane while driving westbound near Voodoo Doughnut. The vehicle struck a curb before leaving the roadway and hitting McMullin on the sidewalk, police allege.
The impact threw McMullin 30 feet in the air, prosecutors told the jury, according to the Houston Chronicle. Paramedics pronounced McMullin dead at the scene of the crash.
Two passengers were in Chambers’ Porsche at the time of the collision. Chambers and the two passengers were transported to local hospitals for treatment following the wreck.
Prosecutors provided evidence that officers located small bags of cocaine inside the back seat of Chambers’ car and within her purse, according to reporting by the Houston Chronicle.
Andrew Figliuzzi, a prosecutor on the case, claimed Chambers consumed at least six alcoholic beverages and used cocaine on the night of the crash. Figliuzzi told the jury that Chambers dined at a Houston restaurant before moving to three different bars.
Authorities said Chambers had a blood alcohol content of 0.301 about an hour after the collision. This measurement is roughly four times the legal limit for drivers in Texas.
Figliuzzi alleged that Chambers drove her sports car at speeds of up to 70 mph because she was “itching to show off her sports car,” Fox 26 reported.
Chambers’ defense attorney, Mark Thiessen, described the crash as a “freak accident” during the trial, which began Thursday, October 16.
Thiessen claimed the heel of Chambers’ Christian Louboutin shoe became lodged on the accelerator. He also told the jury the precarious bend in the roadway contributed to the accident.
Thiessen called the location “one of Houston’s most dangerous curves.” The defense suggested that the mechanical malfunction caused by the shoe heel, combined with the difficulty of the curve, was the actual cause of the fatal crash.
Chambers was arrested after police allege she showed signs of intoxication at the scene.
Joseph McMullin’s date, Briana Iturrino, told Fox 26 that McMullin was “a good guy taken too soon.” McMullin’s death came unexpectedly at the end of their first date.
The McMullin family has also filed a separate civil lawsuit against Chambers. Court records show the family is seeking $1 million in damages for the loss of their son.
Chambers, if convicted of the second-degree manslaughter charge, faces a potential sentence of two to 20 years in prison. The trial proceedings are ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Kristina Chambers is on trial for manslaughter after her Porsche struck and killed a man in Houston, claiming her designer shoes caused the vehicle to accelerate.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 25, 2025 8:04 am ET
Kristina Chambers mugshot, Joseph McMullin obituary.(via Houston Police; Dignity Memorial)
HOUSTON, TX — A Texas woman accused of driving drunk and fatally striking a pedestrian claims her designer high heels caused the crash.
Kristina Chambers, 34, faces a charge of second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of Joseph McMullin, 33, who was hit by Chambers’ speeding Porsche 911 Carrera.
The incident occurred the morning of April 19, 2023, as McMullin was walking from a Houston doughnut shop with his date.
Chambers, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, allegedly raced around a curve in the roadway at a speed of 70 mph, according to prosecutors. The posted speed limit for the road was not specified in court documents, but the speed was reportedly in excess of the curve’s safe limit.
The Houston Police Department stated in a news release that Chambers failed to maintain a single lane while driving westbound near Voodoo Doughnut. The vehicle struck a curb before leaving the roadway and hitting McMullin on the sidewalk, police allege.
The impact threw McMullin 30 feet in the air, prosecutors told the jury, according to the Houston Chronicle. Paramedics pronounced McMullin dead at the scene of the crash.
Two passengers were in Chambers’ Porsche at the time of the collision. Chambers and the two passengers were transported to local hospitals for treatment following the wreck.
Prosecutors provided evidence that officers located small bags of cocaine inside the back seat of Chambers’ car and within her purse, according to reporting by the Houston Chronicle.
Andrew Figliuzzi, a prosecutor on the case, claimed Chambers consumed at least six alcoholic beverages and used cocaine on the night of the crash. Figliuzzi told the jury that Chambers dined at a Houston restaurant before moving to three different bars.
Authorities said Chambers had a blood alcohol content of 0.301 about an hour after the collision. This measurement is roughly four times the legal limit for drivers in Texas.
Figliuzzi alleged that Chambers drove her sports car at speeds of up to 70 mph because she was “itching to show off her sports car,” Fox 26 reported.
Chambers’ defense attorney, Mark Thiessen, described the crash as a “freak accident” during the trial, which began Thursday, October 16.
Thiessen claimed the heel of Chambers’ Christian Louboutin shoe became lodged on the accelerator. He also told the jury the precarious bend in the roadway contributed to the accident.
Thiessen called the location “one of Houston’s most dangerous curves.” The defense suggested that the mechanical malfunction caused by the shoe heel, combined with the difficulty of the curve, was the actual cause of the fatal crash.
Chambers was arrested after police allege she showed signs of intoxication at the scene.
Joseph McMullin’s date, Briana Iturrino, told Fox 26 that McMullin was “a good guy taken too soon.” McMullin’s death came unexpectedly at the end of their first date.
The McMullin family has also filed a separate civil lawsuit against Chambers. Court records show the family is seeking $1 million in damages for the loss of their son.
Chambers, if convicted of the second-degree manslaughter charge, faces a potential sentence of two to 20 years in prison. The trial proceedings are ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Texas Woman Accused of Fatal Hit-and-Run Blames Christian Louboutin Heels
Kristina Chambers is on trial for manslaughter after her Porsche struck and killed a man in Houston, claiming her designer shoes caused the vehicle to accelerate.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 25, 2025 8:04 am ET
Kristina Chambers mugshot, Joseph McMullin obituary.(via Houston Police; Dignity Memorial)
HOUSTON, TX — A Texas woman accused of driving drunk and fatally striking a pedestrian claims her designer high heels caused the crash.
Kristina Chambers, 34, faces a charge of second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of Joseph McMullin, 33, who was hit by Chambers’ speeding Porsche 911 Carrera.
The incident occurred the morning of April 19, 2023, as McMullin was walking from a Houston doughnut shop with his date.
Chambers, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, allegedly raced around a curve in the roadway at a speed of 70 mph, according to prosecutors. The posted speed limit for the road was not specified in court documents, but the speed was reportedly in excess of the curve’s safe limit.
The Houston Police Department stated in a news release that Chambers failed to maintain a single lane while driving westbound near Voodoo Doughnut. The vehicle struck a curb before leaving the roadway and hitting McMullin on the sidewalk, police allege.
The impact threw McMullin 30 feet in the air, prosecutors told the jury, according to the Houston Chronicle. Paramedics pronounced McMullin dead at the scene of the crash.
Two passengers were in Chambers’ Porsche at the time of the collision. Chambers and the two passengers were transported to local hospitals for treatment following the wreck.
Prosecutors provided evidence that officers located small bags of cocaine inside the back seat of Chambers’ car and within her purse, according to reporting by the Houston Chronicle.
Andrew Figliuzzi, a prosecutor on the case, claimed Chambers consumed at least six alcoholic beverages and used cocaine on the night of the crash. Figliuzzi told the jury that Chambers dined at a Houston restaurant before moving to three different bars.
Authorities said Chambers had a blood alcohol content of 0.301 about an hour after the collision. This measurement is roughly four times the legal limit for drivers in Texas.
Figliuzzi alleged that Chambers drove her sports car at speeds of up to 70 mph because she was “itching to show off her sports car,” Fox 26 reported.
Chambers’ defense attorney, Mark Thiessen, described the crash as a “freak accident” during the trial, which began Thursday, October 16.
Thiessen claimed the heel of Chambers’ Christian Louboutin shoe became lodged on the accelerator. He also told the jury the precarious bend in the roadway contributed to the accident.
Thiessen called the location “one of Houston’s most dangerous curves.” The defense suggested that the mechanical malfunction caused by the shoe heel, combined with the difficulty of the curve, was the actual cause of the fatal crash.
Chambers was arrested after police allege she showed signs of intoxication at the scene.
Joseph McMullin’s date, Briana Iturrino, told Fox 26 that McMullin was “a good guy taken too soon.” McMullin’s death came unexpectedly at the end of their first date.
The McMullin family has also filed a separate civil lawsuit against Chambers. Court records show the family is seeking $1 million in damages for the loss of their son.
Chambers, if convicted of the second-degree manslaughter charge, faces a potential sentence of two to 20 years in prison. The trial proceedings are ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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