COMAL COUNTY, Texas — A Kaufman man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated with children in the vehicle, according to court records.
Justin Everrett White, 42, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated with a child passenger and was sentenced by Judge Tracie Wright-Reneau of the 207th District Court.
The charge was enhanced from a state jail felony to a second-degree felony due to White’s prior criminal history, which includes convictions for theft between $100,000 and $200,000 and possession of prohibited substances in a correctional facility in Tarrant and Anderson counties.
The case stems from a November 18, 2023 incident when deputies with the Comal County Sheriff’s Office responded around 12:15 p.m. to a crash at Marigold Way and the South IH-35 frontage road. Authorities said White struck a marked patrol vehicle while making an improper right turn and continued driving away from the scene.
A deputy pursued the vehicle and located White a short distance away near Daisy Way and Maple Way, where he was taken into custody.
Investigators said White had his three young children in the vehicle, none of whom were in car seats or properly restrained.
Deputies reported a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle and found a spilled alcoholic beverage, an open bottle of liquor, marijuana, and prescription bottles inside.
White admitted to drinking alcohol that morning and the night before, as well as smoking marijuana earlier that day, according to authorities. Deputies said he was unable to perform field sobriety tests, showing signs of intoxication.
After being taken into custody, officials said White became combative and kicked the inside of a patrol vehicle door.
A blood test later showed his blood alcohol concentration was 0.197, more than twice the legal limit in Texas.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Felony Prosecutor Sammy McCrary and investigated by the Comal County Sheriff’s Office.
