NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) – A woman has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in a 2022 car crash that killed Hector Martinez of Nacogdoches.
Kelly Renee Poole of Nacogdoches was arrested in April 2022 after, according to the accident report, she was traveling southbound on Farm to Market Road 1878 and passed other vehicles, entering the northbound lane of the road where passing was prohibited.
The victim’s vehicle was traveling northbound in the roadway while Poole attempted to pass other vehicles. Both Poole and the victim ended up in a ditch. Martinez, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to District Attorney Andrew Jones, Poole pleaded guilty, but there was no agreement between the state and the defense. The defendant chose to plead guilty before the judge and be punished by the judge. The case was retried for a sentencing hearing.
After admitting and reviewing the pre-sentence investigation report and hearing the testimony of witnesses, including Poole and the victim’s family members, the court sentenced the defendant to five years’ probation.
This happened in the 420th District Court. Judge Ed Klein had recused himself and a visiting judge was appointed to preside over the case.
Poole is listed on the Nacogdoches ISD website as a charge nurse. Martinez was an admissions officer at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital.
Related:
+ Nacogdoches woman arrested in connection with fatal two-vehicle crash
+ Deceased emergency room employee is fondly remembered by colleagues
+ Nacogdoches man killed in two-vehicle crash
Copyright 2024 KTRE. All rights reserved.
