Ana Maria Paniagua, a 57-year-old paraprofessional at Jefferson High School in El Paso, died after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to prevent an alleged drunk driver from leaving a liquor store parking lot. Paniagua had offered to drive Aurora Morales, 62, home after noticing she appeared intoxicated while mourning the anniversary of her son's death.

According to court documents, Morales was reversing her 1999 Ford F350 pickup truck when Paniagua became trapped under the front left tire. The incident occurred around 5:20 p.m. on Feb. 7 in the 7800 block of North Loop Drive. Paniagua's family described her as someone who "always putting others first" and noted that serving others in moments of need was "simply who she was."

Morales is facing one count of intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle and remains jailed on a $250,000 bond at the El Paso County Jail. Police reports indicate Morales had "red glossy eyes" and failed a field sobriety test. She initially claimed she was not driving and later stated she exited the vehicle "from the side of the person steering." A bond hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19.