Published: June 04, 2009 09:16 pm      

Vidor woman pleads guilty to intoxication assault

A Vidor woman recently pleaded guilty to intoxication assault before Judge Pat Clark of the 128th District Court.

Hilary Ann Blackwell, 23, will return to court June 26 for sentencing. She could face up to 20 years for the second degree felony charges.

According to reports, Blackwell was driving her 2000 Ford Mustang about 2 a.m. on January 12 on Interstate 10 near the Purple Heart Memorial Bridge. She was traveling west while Alice Sue Herrington, 62, of Kountze, was traveling east in her 2004 Toyota Avalon. The accident occurred when Blackwell who was traveling the wrong direction on the Interstate struck Herrington’s vehicle.

As the two vehicles headed towards each other in the center lane, Herrington tried to take evasive action and steered slightly away. However, her vehicle was struck on the front left as the vehicles collided. Blackwell’s vehicle spun counter clockwise and stopped facing south while Herrington’s vehicle also spun counter clockwise but came to rest facing north.

Both women were transported by ambulance to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital with incapacitating injuries. Herrington was wearing her seatbelt, while Blackwell was not at the time of the accident.

As a result of the incident, Herrington received serious injuries. Herrington who is a registered nurse had a shattered right arm, multiple fractures in her chest and left leg. She also was placed on a ventilator for about a week following the accident.

According to reports, the officer noted Blackwell appeared to show several signs of intoxication. It was later determined the alcohol level in her blood was .19. In Texas the legal limit is .08.

In addition to the intoxication assault charges, Blackwell was also charged with no liability insurance.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2603 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.