NEW BOSTON, Texas -A Bowie County jury sentenced a 58-year-old Texarkana woman to 18 years in prison Thursday for a drunken driving crash that killed a U.S. Army veteran and father last year.
The jury of eight men and four women sentenced Callie Marie Jones to just two years shy of the maximum punishment for intoxication manslaughter involving the Sept. 3, 2017, death of 29-year-old Skylar Crenshaw. Jones was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine as well.
Jones pleaded guilty but asked that a jury decide her punishment in hopes of receiving a term of probation. Assistant District Attorneys Kelley Crisp and Lauren Richards argued in closing remarks that probation is not appropriate for a defendant who had a blood alcohol level of .30, more than three times the legal limit, when she failed to yield the right of way to Crenshaw's motorcycle.
Wednesday, during cross examination by Crisp, Jones testified that she drinks and drives four or five times a week. During her closing arguments Thursday, Richards did some math for the jury.
"That's at least 1,200 times she's been drinking and driving," Richards said. "She was gambling with countless lives every time she drank and got behind the wheel."
Crisp expounded on the gravity of Jones' confession in her final arguments, pointing out that arrests for intoxicated driving without injury or death include misdemeanor charges for first and second offenses.
"So she admitted to committing at least 1,197 felonies," Crisp said. "Her criminal record may be spotless but that's just because she never got caught."
Crenshaw was traveling eastbound in the inside left lane of New Boston Road approaching the Reading/Crockett Street intersection when Jones' silver two-door Honda began crossing New Boston. Witnesses testified that Crenshaw tried to avoid the crash but was unable to do so. Crenshaw's body was hurled from his motorcycle and struck a utility pole guide wire which completely severed his left arm from his body and nearly decapitated him. Crenshaw died at the scene.
"Callie Jones made her choices and the jury chose the consequences," Crisp said. "Skylar Crenshaw's loved ones, especially his mother, Camille, already received a life sentence of grief, sadness and questions of why. Callie Jones will be able to complete this sentence and return to her family; Skyler Crenshaw, in this life, will not. This case involved the collaboration of numerous officers and investigators from the Texarkana, Texas, Police Department who worked tirelessly to build a strong case, ensuring that justice was done."
Crenshaw's mother, Camille Mosely, hopes no mother will ever feel the pain she does.
"I really appreciate the hard work from Ms. Crisp and her team. Ms. Jonna (Tye) (Victim/Witness coordinator) has always been there for me from day one," Mosely said. "Thank you to the jurors and the witnesses. I do believe justice was served. It won't bring my son back but it will give me closure to know she didn't get away with it."
Mosely has organized a non-profit, Respect and Protect our Bikers, in memory of her son. The organization's goal is to raise awareness to improve biker safety and to raise funds which will be used to help bikers injured while riding. An inaugural memorial for Crenshaw is scheduled Sept. 1 in downtown Texarkana. For more information, visit Respect and Protect our Bikers on Facebook or call Mosely at 903-276-4890.