Talia Janae Smith, 22, has been sentenced in connection with the death of her friend, 18-year-old Patrianna Damrye Pettigrew after a fatal crash on SH 31, approximately eight miles east of Tyler in May of 2021.
Smith was arrested on October 21, 2021, following an investigation that determined she negligently caused the death of Pettigrew, who was a passenger in the vehicle Smith was driving at the time of the incident.
Appearing in Judge Debby Gunter’s court on Wednesday, Smith entered a guilty plea and was subsequently sentenced to five years of deferred adjudication. As part of the plea agreement, Smith will be required to continue therapy and counseling for the incident.
Pettigrew’s mother has been notified and is aware of the plea agreement. The court acknowledged that the two women were close friends.
