Former Angelo State Baseball Player Agrees to Long Plea Deal in Fatal Crash

SAN ANGELO, TX – a former Angelo State University Baseball player will be on a long term deferred adjudication probation after signing a plea deal admitting to his part in the death of three San Angelo teenagers in a fatal crash.

According to court documents, on Apr. 10, 2023, Benjamin Elder, 26, of Chico, CA, pleaded guilty to three counts of accident involving death. In exchange for his guilty plea, Elder was placed on a 10 year deferred adjudication probation.

San Angelo LIVE! first reported the crime the morning of the crash. On Mar. 18, 2021, at around 6:02 a.m. an officer with the San Angelo Police Department's attempted to pull over a speeding equinox near the intersection of S. Bryant and W. Avenue J Moments later that car would run the red light at W. Avenue N, be hit by a truck, and roll into the parking lot of the KFC.

Inside the vehicle were four teenagers;  17-year-old Alexis Kristina Sorola, 16-year-old Donaven Don Don" Dennis Byers, 12-year-old Fabien Sanchez, and the driver, who at the time was 17, Antonio Gonzalez. Gonzalez was the only survivor and was charged with three counts of manslaughter. He has since been tried, found guilty, and sentenced to a maximum 20 years in prison.

Elder, who was driving the truck that hit Gonzalez, left the scene that night. He would eventually ditch his truck off of Loop 306 near Knickerbocker road. After police found the truck, they found Elder and interviewed him. He admitted to officers that he was driving that night and crashed into the Equinox.

Although Elder was in the crash, it was revealed in Gonzalez's jury trial that Elder had a green light at the intersection. It is not listed in any court document why Elder did not stop and render aid. At the time of the crash Elder was a starting pitcher on the Angelo State Baseball team. He would remain on the team while out on bond. That team would end up losing in the D2 College World Series against West Chester with Elder receiving the loss on the mound.

If Elder completes the ten years deferred adjudication probation, the charges could be expunged from his record.  

*Editor's Note* Elder's Plea Deal was scheduled for 11:15 a.m. on Apr. 10, 2023. Both parties have agreed to the term but the Judge Tommy Lefon has not signed the agreement.