Woman accused of intoxication manslaughter has court hearing

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A 58-year-old Texarkana woman accused of driving drunk last year when she collided with a motorcycle appeared in a Bowie County court Wednesday afternoon.

Callie Jones stood before 102nd District Judge Bobby Lockhart for a pre-indictment hearing Wednesday on a charge of intoxication manslaughter in the Sept. 3 death of Skylar Crenshaw. Crenshaw, 29, was killed after his motorcycle was struck by a 2002 Honda Civic that Jones was driving southbound on Reading Avenue, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Jones allegedly stopped on Reading at a stop sign but struck Crenshaw after she proceeded through the New Boston Road intersection. Crenshaw was thrown from the motorcycle and struck a utility pole support cable. Crenshaw’s arm and body were discovered in separate locations near the collision.

Patrol officers and paramedics allegedly advised investigators with Texarkana, Texas, police that Jones smelled of alcohol. Jones allegedly told officers she didn’t see Crenshaw’s motorcycle when she started through the intersection.

Jones allegedly told investigators she had “one or two beers” when interviewed at the crash site. When an officer went to get Jones’ driver’s license and insurance information from her car, he noticed a shot glass in the front cup holder, an open beer in a rear cup holder and wetness on the floor of the car as if something had spilled.

Jones allegedly performed poorly on field sobriety tests both at the hospital where a sample of her blood was drawn and at the police station. Jones allegedly changed the amount of alcohol she consumed to include more beer and allegedly admitted to drinking gin the morning of the crash.

Jones’ attorney, Joe Tyler of Texarkana, and Assistant District Attorney Kelley Crisp told Lockhart they have been unable to reach an agreement in Jones’ case. Tyler asked that the case be referred to a Bowie County grand jury for formal indictment. If Jones is indicted for intoxication manslaughter and if she is found guilty, Jones could face two to 20 years in prison.

Tyler asked Lockhart at Wednesday’s hearing if the electronic monitor Jones has been required to wear as a condition of her bond could be removed because of the “financial burden” on Jones. Tyler asked the court to impose other conditions, such as drug and alcohol testing, instead.

Crisp objected to removal of Jones’ ankle monitor and Lockhart declined to rule on Tyler’s request Wednesday.

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