Woman pleads guilty ahead of trial for Fort Worth Sgt. Billy Randolph’s death
Drunk driver pleads guilty in death of Fort Worth officer
Just before her trial was set to begin, a woman pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter in a crash that killed a Fort Worth police officer. FOX 4's Peyton Yager has more.
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 of a peace officer before that happened.
She also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She was on probation for that charge at the time of the crash and violated the conditions of her probation by drinking alcohol.
No cameras were allowed in the courtroom.
What's next:
The jury will now decide Evans' sentence, which could be up to life in prison.
On Thursday afternoon, they watched video of Evans' police interrogation. She first claimed she didn't know what she hit, then later she admitted to hitting the officer and not stopping because she was drunk.
The interrogation video also captured Evans' phone conversations with two family members. They encouraged her to tell the truth and live with the consequences.
Testimony is expected to continue in the punishment phase on Friday.
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.
Evans was that driver.
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.