LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - A San Augustine man was sentenced to 15 years in prison Thursday for causing a crash that mortally injured a woman in 2023.
Chester Ray Jones, 38, of San Augustine, plead guilty to intoxication manslaughter and waived his rights to have a trial or an appeal before Judge Bob Inselmann in 127th District Court.
Lufkin police arrested the man he attempted to fee the scene of a major crash he caused near the intersection of Frank Avenue and Hill Street around 5:45 p.m. July 13, 2023, according to court records.
A maroon Chevy Cruze compact car was in a turn lane attempting to turn onto Hill Street when a man later identified as Chester Jones ran a traffic light and rear-ended the car in a Ford Expedition SUV, according to an affidavit.
Chester Jones attempted to flee on foot and was arrested on Ellis Avenue moments later, according to police records.
The driver of the Chevy Cruze, Barbara Jones, had an open fracture to her leg was taken to a local hospital, according to an affidavit. Paramedics on scene wanted to transport her via medical helicopter, but one was not available at the time, according to the document.
She later died.
Chester Jones, convicted of two previous driving while intoxicated charges, faced between five and 99 years in prison.
https://www.ktre.com/2026/01/22/san-augustine-man-gets-15-years-drunk-driving-death/