Sentence pronounced in DWI

SMITH COUNTY – A Smith County man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to intoxication manslaughter charges in connection to a fatal 2024 crash that killed two people.

According to our news partner KETK, a Smith County arrest affidavit says, deputies arrived to the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Sept. 14, 2024, at the intersection of Highway 271 and FM 2015. In a ditch on the south side of Highway 271, deputies found a Ram truck and a Dodge Grand Caravan both with extensive damage.

“The truck was resting in the ditch facing southbound,” the affidavit read. “Directly in front of the truck was the van laying on its driver’s side. It appeared the van had rolled onto its side and slide into an electric pole where it was currently resting on the guide wires.”

Inside the truck was lone occupant and driver, Ethan Luna. The van’s occupants included driver Chelsea Askew and passengers Tammy Gibney and an unnamed minor.

Officials said Askew and Gibney were pronounced dead at the scene, while the minor and Luna were transported to a local hospital.
An investigation found that Luna was traveling south on FM 2015 and Askew was driving northeast on Highway 271. Luna failed to yield at the intersection, colliding with Askew and sending the van into the tree line at approximately 65 miles per hour, according to the affidavit.

While being transported to the hospital, deputies spoke with Luna, who allegedly stated he was going 60 miles per hour and did not see the stop sign at the intersection.

Inside the truck, deputies found beer cans “scattered throughout” the back seating area, some of which appeared to be “busted open.” Later, a small bag of suspected cocaine was located in the truck, which tested positive for cocaine.

Additionally, Luna’s blood was drawn after deputies observed the odor of alcohol from the truck and near Luna’s face. The tests came back to show a BAC of 0.169, which is double the legal limit.

In February 2025, Luna was charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance.

Luna pleaded guilty to all three charges and intoxication assault with a vehicle with serious bodily injury on Monday in District Court, according to court records.

Luna received the following sentences. Intoxication assault with vehicle with serious bodily injury – 10 years in prison. Intoxication manslaughter with vehicle – 20 years in prison. Intoxication manslaughter with vehicle – 20 years in prison and Possession of a controlled substance – 2 years in prison.

His sentencing run concurrently, meaning he will serve a maximum total of 20 years, according to court records.