TEXARKANA, Texas - A man accused of killing one and injuring another in a drunken-driving crash earlier this year was scheduled for a May 2021 jury trial at a hearing Friday in Bowie County.
Kendrick Aaron Sauls, 21, was allegedly speeding and driving erratically moments before he disregarded a red light at Summerhill and New Boston roads at about 8:30 p.m. on May 1, according to a probable cause affidavit. Sauls' gray 2008 Dodge Ram truck struck a blue 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, causing airbags to deploy in both as well as severe damage.
At the time of the crash, Sauls was charged with two counts of intoxication assault. Since then, 36-year old Mario Haynes died from his injuries. A Bowie County grand jury indicted Sauls for intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault in July, and in August he entered pleas of not guilty to both charges with the help of Texarkana lawyer Butch Dunbar.
Sauls appeared Friday morning before 5th District Judge Bill Miller for his first pretrial hearing since his arraignment last month. Miller scheduled the case for jury selection May 18 at the Bowie County courthouse in New Boston, Texas.
Miller also set a deadline of April 19, 2021, for Sauls to notify the court if he opts to change his pleas to guilty and enter into a plea bargain.
Sauls is being held in the Bowie County jail with bail set at $300,000 and has been in custody since his arrest May 1.
When police approached Sauls at the accident scene, he was allegedly telling his passenger, "Just kill me." Sauls allegedly had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. On the ground next to Sauls' truck, which came to a stop in a grassy area off Summerhill Road, officers allegedly observed a bottle of Steel Reserve malt liquor.
The driver of the Santa Fe and her 5-month-old infant son were transported to CHRISTUS St. Michael hospital for treatment. The driver, 29, suffered a broken neck, a broken left wrist, a broken right hand, a broken collar bone, a fractured skull, a lacerated liver and broken ribs. The baby suffered minor scrapes and scratches from flying glass and debris.
Haynes suffered more serious injuries and was taken to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hospital after initial treatment at Wadley Regional Medical Center in Texarkana. Haynes suffered a severe brain bleed, facial fractures and a skull fracture.
Sauls was taken to a local hospital where a sample of his blood was drawn for testing. If found guilty of intoxication assault, Sauls faces two to 10 years. If found guilty of intoxication manslaughter, he faces two to 20 years in prison.