A repeat drunk driver pleads guilty to causing a crash that killed a 21-year-old woman and graduate of Westlake High School.
James Kevin Blackerby, 35, confessed to both violating his probation and intoxication manslaughter during Thursday’s court proceeding.
The parents of drunk driving victim Heather Heyns held pictures of her in Judge Bob Perkins 331st District Courtroom.
Blackberry has been convicted of four DWI’s since 1999. He was expressionless when he entered the courtroom.
He accepted the state’s plea bargain of three years in prison for violating his probation.
However, Judge Perkins did not approve a plea deal connected to his intoxication manslaughter charge. The state offered probation. Perkins says he could make a decision during an October hearing.
Court documents say Blackerby was driving drunk on August 2, 2008, in Southeast Austin when he ran a red light, crashing into a truck Heyns was riding in as a passenger.
“He was on probation for his third DWI, driving with a suspended license when he killed my daughter,” said Heather’s mother Kelli Heyns.
At the time, Heather Heyns was considering a career as a teacher or a realtor. Her parents say she enjoyed riding horses and going to the lake.
“She was a very giving girl. She had a heart as big as Texas, and she deserved justice,” said Kelli Heyns.
After Blackerby’s hearing, Kelli and Hank Heyns criticized a legal system they believe is too soft on drunk drivers including Blackerby.
“He obviously has a problem with drinking and driving, so it’s definitely an issue. Our laws, I don’t know if they are stiff enough, but they are definitely not enforced to the maximum capability,” said Hank Heyns.
The driver of the truck that Heather Heyns was riding in at the time of the crash, Jimmy Saucedo, is also facing charges of manslaughter and DWI. His hearing is scheduled for September.
