Woman pleads guilty ahead of trial for Fort Worth Sgt. Billy Randolph’s death
FORT WORTH, Texas - The woman accused of killing Fort Worth Police Sgt. Billy Randolph pleaded guilty just before the start of her jury trial on Thursday.
DeAujalae Evans Guilty Plea
What's new:
Prosecutors were set to deliver their opening statements on Thursday morning in the trial for DeAujalae Evans.
However, Evans pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon before the jury arrived in court.
She was originally charged with intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer, which carries a maximum sentence of up to life in prison. The maximum sentence for intoxication manslaughter is only 20 years.
The jury is expected to decide Evans' punishment.
No cameras were allowed in the courtroom.
Sgt. Billy Randolph’s Death
Sgt. Billy Randolph
The backstory:
The Fort Worth Police Department lost a beloved, long-time officer when Sgt. Billy Randolph died in August of 2024.
Fort Worth Police Sgt. Billy Randolph remembered at emotional funeral service
On Saturday, the Fort Worth community will say goodbye to Sgt. Billy Randolph. The 29-year police veteran died in the line of duty earlier this week.
The husband and father of two was working a fiery 18-wheeler crash along Interstate 35W when he was struck and killed by a wrong-way driver.
That driver was 26-year-old DeAujalae Evans. She was charged with intoxicated manslaughter of a peace officer.
Dig deeper:
According to an affidavit, Evans had consumed 10 shots of liquor before the crash. She allegedly continued to drive for more than a quarter of a mile before trying to run away from the scene.
She was also on probation after pleading guilty earlier that year to an armed assault case involving a romantic partner. As part of her probation conditions, Evans was prohibited from using, possessing or consuming any alcohol.
Woman accused of killing Fort Worth police officer while driving drunk was on probation
A 25-year-old woman who police say was drunk when she hit and killed Fort Worth Police Sergeant Billy Randolph was on probation at the time of the crash.
The Source: The information in this story comes from court records, the Fort Worth Police Department, an arrest warrant affidavit, and past news coverage.