On the evening of January 31, 2023, Samantha Gowan was driving a Dodge pickup westbound on 7th Ave. near Navarro College when she struck another car from behind.
Due to the icy conditions, the car began to spin and was struck again by Gowan’s truck on the driver’s side. Gowan continued westbound for another block before drifting into the eastbound lanes and striking another vehicle. Gowan’s pickup ultimately came to a stop after striking a telephone pole located on the Southwest corner of 7th Ave. and 43rd St.
When another motorist went to aid Gowan, she asked the motorist not to call police because she was already on probation for DWI and then fled the scene on foot. The driver of the 1st car struck by Gown later died from her injuries at a hospital in Waco.
During the ensuing investigation led by Corsicana Police Detective Sean Frasier, police learned that Gowan had purchased and consumed numerous alcoholic beverages that afternoon from Applebee’s and Chili’s and her driver’s license was suspended. The crash investigation indicated that Gowan’s vehicle was going as fast as 72 mph shortly before the collision. Additionally, vehicle data recorders indicated at some points Gowan’s wheels were turning significantly faster than the rate corresponding to the speed of the vehicle, indicating that the wheels were spinning on the icy road.
This afternoon Gowan plead guilty to Intoxication Manslaughter and Leaving the Scene off a Fatality Collision in the 13th District Court and was sentenced to serve 11 years in the Texas Department of Corrections. The family of the victim was consulted before reaching this plea agreement. Cases like this where a young person with minimal prior criminal history commits a serious offense with catastrophic results make for very difficult decisions. Any felony conviction is a life-changing consequence even without a prison sentence, but intoxicated drivers continue to cause fatalities even right here in Navarro County. This is another example of a few poor decisions leading to disastrous consequences for the victim, Ms. Gowan and both of their families.
Social Media
Communication
Bookmarking
Developer
Entertainment
Academic
Finance
Lifestyle
About Author
Discover more from THE NAVCO CHRONICLE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.