Drunk Driver Sentenced for Fatal Midland Crash

 

MIDLAND, TX — In a tragic incident stemming from August 2022, Jesus Castanon, a 34-year-old man hailing from Laredo, now faces a five-year prison sentence for intoxication manslaughter. This verdict comes in the wake of an exhaustive investigation conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and a subsequent trial held in Midland County.

The fateful incident unfolded on Interstate 20, where Castanon, navigating his truck tractor eastbound, succumbed to drowsiness behind the wheel. The ensuing collision with the guardrail led to a blown-out tire, propelling the vehicle into westbound traffic. The catastrophic result was a fatal head-on collision with a Jeep driven by 82-year-old Granvil Lee Oden of Lovington, NM, who tragically lost his life instantly.

The Texas DPS investigation unveiled that Castanon's blood alcohol concentration at the time of the incident was 0.14, nearly twice the legal limit for intoxication in Texas. This pivotal evidence played a decisive role in the subsequent legal proceedings. On Thursday, a Midland County jury sentenced Castanon to five years in prison, coupled with a $5,000 fine. The severity of the charges prompted the jury to dismiss his plea for a probated sentence. Furthermore, the jury classified Castanon's truck as a deadly weapon, underscoring the potential peril associated with impaired driving.

Manslaughter Conviction

Manslaughter Conviction

(Credit: Midland County Mug Shot)

As part of the sentencing, Castanon must serve at least one-half of the five-year term before becoming eligible for parole. This outcome underscores the legal repercussions of driving under the influence and emphasizes the devastating impact such actions can have on innocent lives.

The Midland County District Attorney's Office has reiterated its commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions, particularly in cases involving intoxication manslaughter. The verdict serves as a poignant reminder of the imperative need for responsible and sober driving to safeguard the well-being of all road users.

Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily

The LIVE! Daily is the "newspaper to your email" for San Angelo. Each content-packed edition has weather, the popular Top of the Email opinion and rumor mill column, news around the state of Texas, news around west Texas, the latest news stories from San Angelo LIVE!, events, and the most recent obituaries. The bottom of the email contains the most recent rants and comments. The LIVE! daily is emailed 5 days per week. On Sundays, subscribers receive the West Texas Real Estate LIVE! email.

Required

Most Recent Videos

Post a comment to this article here: