Woman sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter and drunken assault after 2020 accident

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – A woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 10 years of probation for intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury after a fatal crash in 2020.

According to the 47th District Attorney's Office, the accident occurred on June 21, 2020. The press release states that four people were heading east on Wolflin Avenue and were struck by a woman who was running a red light at the intersection of Wolflin and Washington.

The rear passenger, an adult female, died in hospital from her injuries sustained in the crash. Another passenger suffered serious injuries, including a broken hip and leg. The other two passengers were slightly injured.

The driver of the vehicle that ran the red light was Michelle Chavez, who told officers she had been drinking at a local bar. Chavez's blood alcohol level was 0.217.

In June 2024, a jury heard the charges against Chavez. The jury also heard testimony from the woman who was seriously injured in the crash, APD officers, witnesses and more. They also reviewed footage of the accident recorded by surveillance cameras from a nearby business.

The jury returned guilty verdicts in both cases. Chavez chose the jury to determine the punishment and requested probation.

Chavez was sentenced to 10 years in prison for drunken manslaughter and 10 years of probation for drunken assault. The judge ordered the sentences to be stacked, so Chávez's probation will not begin until after he is released from prison.