Arlington woman arrested for intoxication manslaughter in March crash that killed her 6-year-old daughter

ARLINGTON, Texas - A 21-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter following a March highway crash that killed her 6-year-old daughter, police said Wednesday.

Arrest made in fatal crash

What we know:

Courtney Getz was taken into custody without incident Tuesday in Arlington by members of the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force, according to the Arlington Police Department. In addition to the felony manslaughter charge, Getz faces one count of possession of a controlled substance.

The charges stem from an overnight wreck on March 25 along the westbound lanes of Interstate 20, near the U.S. 287 interchange.

Investigators said Getz was driving a 2014 Nissan Sentra with two children in the backseat when she became distracted by something happening behind her and took her eyes off the road. The Sentra slammed into the back of a dump truck at 12:29 a.m.

Getz and both children were rushed to area hospitals, where 6-year-old Aviah Getz was later pronounced dead. While the child was in a car seat, investigators believe she may have unbuckled herself or had been improperly restrained.

The second child and Getz suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while the driver of the dump truck was unhurt.

Investigation into the crash

During a subsequent search of the car, officers recovered THC vape pens. Investigators later obtained a search warrant for Getz’s blood after receiving information that she may have used the substance prior to driving.

According to police, toxicologists with the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office analyzed the lab results and determined the level of THC found in her blood was consistent with usage within four to six hours of the draw. Experts advised investigators that Getz was likely impaired and should not have been operating a vehicle at the time of the collision.

Police believe Aviah may not have been properly restrained at the time of the crash.

Getz was initially booked into the Arlington City Jail and has since been transferred to the Tarrant County Jail. Her bond has been set at $92,000.

What they're saying:

"She told me she loved me… that was that day."

Andre Tribett was Aviah's father figure, even though they were not related by blood. He wants Getz to serve time for "her carelessness and neglect."

"Honor my daughter and give her justice, because what happened to her was an injustice."

Tribett wants to share his late daughter's light with her younger sister, who suffered  injuries from the crash.

"Be strong for my daughter. Be here for her, and make sure she's safe," Tribett said. "Make sure nothing takes her away and no one can hurt her."

ArlingtonCrime and Public Safety