Texas Tech Student Killed in Suspected DWI Crash

A Texas Tech student columnist was killed in a suspected drunk driving accident on Sunday.

About the Fatal Accident

According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Tanya Marie Jones, 55, was fatally injured when her vehicle was struck by a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro driven by Maxwell lee Ezell, 24.

A preliminary investigation suggests Jones was traveling westbound on 19^th Street near Kewanee Avenue when her vehicle was rear-ended by Ezell’s Camaro. The Camaro continued to travel, striking the back of a Ford F-150 stopped at a stop sign in the northbound lane of Kewanee.

First responders arrived to the scene at 1:58 am. In searching Ezell’s pockets, authorities found several bar receipts with the last purchase occurring at 1:29 am. Ezell was arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter.

Jones was a contributing columnist for Texas Tech’s Daily Toreador and a military veteran. She worked as an Uber Driver; however, it is unclear if Jones was working during the crash.

Texas Auto Accident Statistics

The following information was provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):

• 3,531 people were killed in car crashes in Texas in 2015, marking little change from the 3,536 deaths reported in 2014.
• 807 people were killed in crashes that occurred at or in relation to intersections in 2015.
• 960 of the traffic fatalities recorded in 2015 were attributed to crashes where at least one driver was intoxicated. The accounts for 27% of all Texas traffic fatalities.
• An additional 246,335 people were injured in auto accidents in Texas in 2015.