SAN ANGELO, Texas — A San Angelo man who was driving a pickup truck that hit a grain drill being towed by a tractor on US Hwy 67 in December 2020 has pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter and sentenced to time in prison.
On the evening of Dec. 14, 2020, law enforcement was dispatched to a vehicle crash on US 67 involving a pickup truck and a tractor pulling a grain drill. The driver of the pickup was identified as Joshua Joseph Corfield.
His passenger, Brett Mohler, was pronounced dead at the crash scene.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Jesse Smith investigated the crash and found several empty alcoholic containers inside the pickup. Several hours after the crash, Corfield's blood was drawn and sent to the DPS lab for testing. The blood test results came back with a blood alcohol content of 0.154.
On April 10, 2024, Corfield pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter without a plea recommendation from the State, leaving Judge Jay Weatherby to decide the punishment. Weatherby held a one-day punishment hearing where the State, represented by first assistant district attorney, Ashley Knight, called nine witnesses, including Mohler’s wife and mother.
The defense called four witnesses including Corfield.
After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, Weatherby found Corfield guilty of intoxication manslaughter and sentenced him to three years in prison and ordered a mandatory fine in the amount of $6,000.
51st District Attorney Allison Palmer's Office said in a media release, "We hope that this verdict and disposition of the criminal case will begin the healing process for the victim’s family. Driving while intoxicated can have serious, permanent consequences and in this case, it resulted in the loss of a loving father, husband, and son. These cases are difficult for everyone involved. We hope that the verdict sends a message to the community to think twice before getting behind the wheel while intoxicated."
