Former Tech Student Pleads Guilty in Drunk Driving Death
By: Nick Ochsner
Updated: November 26, 2012
Former Texas Tech student Jeena Roberts pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault in a Lubbock County district courtroom Monday.
Roberts' charges stem from an October 2010 accident that killed 54-year-old Linda Smaltz.
Police reports from the 2010 accident say Roberts had been drinking on a school field trip before she got behind the wheel of a car.
According to reports, she rear-ended the car being driven by Smaltz, killing her on scene.
Judge Jim Bob Darnell sentenced Roberts to 15 years in prison for intoxication manslaughter and eight years for intoxication assault. She will serve the sentences concurrently.
Tom Brummett, who prosecuted the case for the Lubbock County DA's Office, said Roberts pleaded guilty to a deadly weapon enhancement on the charges, which means she has to serve at least 7 1/2 years before she will be eligible for parole.
Roberts has been ordered to report to prison on January 7, 2013.
Roberts' charges stem from an October 2010 accident that killed 54-year-old Linda Smaltz.
Police reports from the 2010 accident say Roberts had been drinking on a school field trip before she got behind the wheel of a car.
According to reports, she rear-ended the car being driven by Smaltz, killing her on scene.
Judge Jim Bob Darnell sentenced Roberts to 15 years in prison for intoxication manslaughter and eight years for intoxication assault. She will serve the sentences concurrently.
Tom Brummett, who prosecuted the case for the Lubbock County DA's Office, said Roberts pleaded guilty to a deadly weapon enhancement on the charges, which means she has to serve at least 7 1/2 years before she will be eligible for parole.
Roberts has been ordered to report to prison on January 7, 2013.
