WHARTON COUNTY — An El Campo man who admitted to driving drunk and causing a fatal crash in 2018 has been sentenced to 120 days of weekend jail time, 250 hours of community service and the installation of an ignition interlock device on his vehicle.
Alex Aranda, 39, pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter in connection with a crash that occurred April 29, 2018, on Highway 71 south of El Campo. The sentence was handed down by 329th District Court Judge Randy Clapp during a hearing in May.
According to court records, Aranda was driving a 2010 Ford F-350 northbound when his pickup crossed into the southbound lane and struck a 2008 Chrysler Sebring.
The driver of the Sebring, 24-year-old Amanda Llanos of El Campo, died from injuries she suffered in the crash.
Following the collision, Aranda’s pickup caught fire, but he and a passenger were able to escape. The fire was quickly extinguished by the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department.
Wharton County District Attorney Mark Racer praised the investigation conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, which led to Aranda’s guilty plea.
As a second-degree felony, intoxication manslaughter carries a possible punishment of two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence in the case.
Racer said members of Llanos’ family were able to address Aranda in court before sentencing. He also noted that Aranda had a previous DWI conviction in 2012.
“This was a terrific investigation that resulted in the defendant pleading guilty to intoxication manslaughter,” Racer said.
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