A drunk driver was convicted Thursday for his role in a crash that left a family of three dead in Arlington in July 2013, according to the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office.
A Tarrant County jury deliberated several hours before finding Benjamon Stewart, 43, guilty of three counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count of failing to render aid.
Najib Intidam, of Arlington; his wife, Hanane; and their daughter, Nour el Houda died when Stewart rear-ended their car along I-30 near the Fielder Road exit in Arlington.
The crash disabled the Intidams' car in the center lane and knocked out their taillights,a second truck hit the Intidams as they were trying to exit their vehicle.
Najib Intidam died at the scene of the crash. Hanane and Nour el Houda were rushed to Arlington Memorial Hospital, where they later died.
Prosecutors said after the crash Stewart hid in nearby trees and watched as emergency workers responded to the deadly scene.Investigators used thermal imaging to locate Stewart.
Prosecutors said his blood-alcohol concentration was .28, more than four hours after the crash, that's three and a half times the legal limit.
The family had moved to North Texas from their native Morocco with dreams of making a better life.
"Tarrant County citizens came to the right verdict on a tough case and now the defendant will be held responsible for taking three lives by getting behind the wheel while he was intoxicated," said prosecutor Katie Woods. "Because of his selfish actions, this young married couple never got to see their precious daughter’s first birthday."
According to court records, Stewart pleaded no contest to DWI in Arlington in 2002.
Stewart elected to have a judge assess his punishment. State District Judge Scott Wisch has yet to set a date for sentencing.
