Crabtree Trial Delayed Again

SMITH COUNTY — The trial of an East Texan who allegedly caused the deaths of two people during a drunk driving crash in March has been delayed again. According to KETK, the trial for Carl Crabtree, 31, has been pushed back to November 16 with a pre-trial hearing set for November 9. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, on March 4, Crabtree was driving down Old Jacksonville Highway when his vehicle crossed the center line and collided head-on with an SUV heading northbound. The suspect was charged with two counts intoxication manslaughter in the deaths of Dana Regester, 41, of Flint, and Pasha Zapolsky, 18, of Bullard.

Asheley Regester was thrown from the vehicle and hospitalized, but she recovered from her injuries. Caleb Chadwell also suffered injuries, but he was also later released from a local hospital. An investigation by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has found no evidence of over-serving by two bars visited by Crabtree prior to the wreck.

TABC agents visited Click’s Billiards and Daniel Boone’s Grill & Tavern, both located in Tyler, after an investigation determined Crabtree had been drinking at both bars prior to the accident. Investigators examined sales receipts, security videos and spoke with employees and witnesses to determine whether either bar contributed to the accident by serving alcohol to an intoxicated person.

After reviewing the evidence, TABC officials found no evidence that either bar improperly served Crabtree prior to his alleged involvement in the accident.