A 20-year-old DeKalb, Texas, man received a 10-year term of felony probation Friday for intoxication manslaughter and three counts of intoxication assault.
Isidro Mariano appeared with Texarkana lawyer Bart Craytor for sentencing Friday morning at a hearing before 5th District Judge Bill Miller in Texarkana's downtown Bi-State Justice Building. Mariano was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he crashed his car into a tree at about 4:30 a.m. Jan. 10, 2016. Three passengers were injured, and 18-year-old Candace Vernon lost her life.
Assistant District Attorney Lauren Richards told Miller that Vernon's family approved of a plea bargain that includes probation and no prison time. At the beginning of the hearing, Richards indicated that Vernon's family would read a victim impact statement, but at the hearing's close, Vernon's mother shook her head and Richards told the court the family had changed their minds.
Vernon's father briefly spoke and urged Mariano to use his experience positively.
"Candace died because of your sins and Jesus died for yours," the father said.
Craytor said Mariano wants to help educate others as to the dangers of driving while intoxicated.
"This was very sad all the way around. Two parents who lost a daughter have changed this young man's life through their testimony," Craytor said. "Now he wants to help people avoid making the errors he's made in his life."
As the families of both defendant and victim filed out of the courtroom, members of one family stopped and embraced members of the other.
"Probation in a case like this is rare, but based on the circumstances of the offense, the defendant's age and lack of criminal history, and, most importantly, the wishes of the victim's family, this was the appropriate resolution," Richards said. "The victim's family has suffered an immense loss, however they were able to show this young man mercy in requesting he receive probation and thus allowing him to make the most of his second chance."
Mariano will be supervised by Bowie County probation for 10 years. He must pay a $5,000 fine, complete 240 hours of community service and only drive a car outfitted with an ignition interlock device. The device requires the driver to submit to a breathalyzer test before the engine will start.
Mariano must refrain from the use of drugs and alcohol, must complete a driving while intoxicated education course and submit to random drug and alcohol screenings, among other conditions of probation. Should Mariano violate the conditions of his probation, he could be ordered to serve up to 10 years in prison.
Mariano was driving a Honda Accord at a high rate of speed on Bowie County Road 4255 when he failed to stop at an intersection with U.S. Highway 259 and hit a tree, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. Vernon died at the scene and three others were injured in the single-car crash.
Department of Public Safety troopers who worked the deadly wreck noticed an open alcoholic beverage in the front center console of the Honda. One of the passengers told the investigating troopers that Mariano was intoxicated.
A toxicology screening of a blood sample from Mariano showed a blood alcohol level of .086, just over .08, the level at which drivers are deemed impaired from alcohol consumption. Mariano's blood screening showed he was under the influence of a benzodiazepine, a class of drugs typically used to treat anxiety.