Fort Worth man, his girlfriend and their 3 children killed by suspected drunk driver, family says

FORT WORTH, Texas – Family members say a mother, her three young children and her boyfriend were killed this week by a suspected drunk driver on I-35W in Fort Worth.

Two of the victims were identified as Willie Gunn and Amber Hopewell.

It is believed that Hopewell's children – ages 2, 4 and 9 – were with them.

According to Fort Worth police, a drunk 19-year-old driving a Camaro drove into the car they were in, causing it to burst into flames.

Frinchesta Gunn is now forced to rely on her memories. She was unable to attend a family gathering at her Uncle Willie's on Sunday.

Willie Gunn (family photo)

“That just hurt me. Because everyone else saw him, you know what I mean? Be with you. But I didn't see him,” she said.

Just before 1 a.m. Monday, family members told FOX 4 that Willie, his girlfriend and their three children were killed by a suspected drunk driver.

According to Fort Worth police, 19-year-old Eduardo Gonzalez was driving while intoxicated and at extremely high speeds on I-35W.

Eduardo Gonzalez (Source: Fort Worth Police)

Gonzalez's black Camaro struck the rear of the sedan at the Seminary exit, causing it to catch fire.

According to first responders, all occupants of the burning vehicle died at the scene. The age and identity of the victims were difficult to determine.

The Gunn family can't help but imagine her final moments.

“My stomach is always doing somersaults. Sometimes I'm fine and then I just get sick. It makes me sick,” said Bobbie Tisby, Willie's sister. “He took my brother's life because he just wanted to get drunk.”

Fort Worth police found alcoholic beverages in the Camaro. Investigators say the 19-year-old also smelled of alcohol and was speaking slurred. The results of a blood test are still pending.

Gonzalez was treated at a hospital and then taken to the Tarrant County Jail, where he was charged with five counts of manslaughter while intoxicated.

Alecia Gunn is Willie's ex-wife. They were together for 15 years. She says Willie helped her raise her children and he leaves behind two children of his own.

Willie Gunn and ex-wife Alecia Gunn

“The drunk driving has to stop,” she said. “It's a terrible loss … for his new girlfriend and her children. It's a terrible thing to lose someone like that. It's been a rough few days.”

FOX 4 also contacted Amber Hopewell's family, but they were understandably unwilling to speak publicly at this time.