Drunk driver receives probation for intoxication manslaughter.
Skyla Jean Cox was killed by a drunk driver on June 21, 2020. Her drunk driver received a sentence of 90 days in jail plus ten years probation.
Skyla Jean Cox was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Sandra Mashek who crashed into a curb and rolled her Kia sedan into a residential driveway. Mashek's blood alcohol was reportedly .148, nearly twice the legal limit in Texas. Mashek was reportedly speeding before losing control of her car and crashing. Skyla Jean Cox was unfortunately killed in the crash which happened in the 1100 block of Dallas Street, east of Waco. A prosecutor was reportedly quoted as saying "our office feels that the verdict and sentence was the just and proper one." However, it appears to be the result of a plea bargain with the McClennan County District Attorney's Office. Apparently, no jury ever heard the facts of the case. There has been no report of any comment from the family of Skyla Jean Cox. This type of lenient sentence is not the type which deters drunk driving. The legislature needs to revisit the issue of mandatory prison time for intoxication manslaughter.
