By Eric Williams

The Orange Leader

Travis Collins, 30 of Orange has changed his plea to guilty, in the May 2015, double fatal vehicular homicide of Riley Portie, 54, and his wife Emily Portie, 50 of Orange.

According to court Information obtained from the 128^th District Court Of Orange County, Collins appeared before District Judge Courtney Arkeen on July 13, 2017.

In a previous April 2016, hearing Collins entered a plea of not guilty of two counts of intoxication manslaughter.

According to investigators, Collins is accused driving drunk on May 24, 2015 in the 1200 block of Park Street in Orange. Collins allegedly took off at a high rate of speed causing his vehicle to jump the railroad tracks, and go airborne landing on the Porties.

The couple was traveling west on Park Street near the intersection of 12th Street when they were struck by Collins pickup truck. Both were killed instantly at the scene.

In the hearing Collins opted to have a jury sentence him. A jury trial for sentencing is set for Monday, July 24, 2017.

Collins faces 2 to 20 years in prison on each charge for two counts of intoxication manslaughter.

Orange Police Department Lt. Eric Ellison was responsible for notifying the next of kin, Kazzie Portie, 18, just days before graduating from Little Cypress Mauriceville High School.

Ellison provided encouragement for Portie to attend his high school. Portie did attend the graduation, received his diploma and was greeted on the stage by Ellison.

Ellison was honored for his actions in May 2015 by the Orange City Council.