San Angelo Woman Indicted For DWI with Two Young Children in the Car

SAN ANGELO, TX - Tom Green County Grand Jurors have indicted a San Angelo mother following an incident that occurred during a traffic stop on the evening of March 11, 2020.

Indictment records indicate that on the evening of March 11,  trooper John Westerman with the Texas Department of Public Safety observed a vehicle traveling approximately 59 miles per hour in a posted 35 miles per hour zone. 

As Westerman initiated his emergency overheard lights, the vehicle's driver ignored the Troopers lights and sirens as she continued to travel down Southwest Blvd for sometime before coming to a stop at a residence off of Merrick St. 

During his traffic stop Trooper Westerman made contact with the driver, later identified as 33 year old Marina R. Conklin, where the  presence of alcohol was detected inside of the vehicle. 

The driver's two small children ages one and three were also found to be in the vehicle at the time of the initial traffic stop, according to court documents. 

Due to the drivers initial confusion and difficulty answering investigative questions a field sobriety test was administered where it was later determined that Conklin was intoxicated. 

Shortly after refusing to give a voluntary blood sample a blood search warrant was issued and signed by Judge Jay Weatherby at Shannon Medical Center.

After a blood sample was taken, Conklin was transported to the Tom Green County Jail where she was booked for Driving While Intoxicated W/ Child Younger Than 15 Years of Age.

The following day Conklin was released on a $10,000 bond. 

As of May 12, Marina R. Conklin was indicted for the sole charge of Driving While Intoxicated W/ Child Younger Than 15 Years of Age which is a state jail felony in the state of Texas that carries a penalty of 180 days to 2 years incarceration in state jail facility, a fine of up to $10,000.00, and the suspension of driving privileges.

Bond Requirements for Conklin's release are as followed:

• No Contact with Victim
• No Driving or the Installation of a motor vehicle ignition interlock with a camera recording device. 
• Defendant shall not go near a residence, school, or any other locations frequented by the victim