GALVESTON – The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 29-year-old woman accused of driving the wrong way on Broadway and causing a crash that killed a UTMB nursing student earlier this fall.

Deputies say the collision happened on September 22, when 23-year-old Neil Abad was struck by a Honda CR-V traveling in the wrong direction. Investigators determined the driver, Autumn Avina, was intoxicated as she continued onto the causeway before crashing into Abad’s Honda Fit. He died at the scene.

According to the sheriff’s office, Avina suffered serious injuries in the wreck and had to be extricated from her vehicle before being taken to UTMB for treatment.

After a weeks-long investigation involving the Sheriff’s Crash Team, Major Crimes Unit, and Crime Scene Unit, Avina was formally charged with intoxication manslaughter. Her bond was set at $250,000.

She was taken into custody on November 24 and booked into the Galveston County Jail.

The sheriff’s office said it extends its condolences to Abad’s loved ones and emphasized its commitment to holding impaired drivers accountable.