Amarillo Woman Charged After Crash Killed Teenage Passenger and Injured Two Others as Police Say She Appeared Highly Intoxicated
AMARILLO, TX — An 18-year-old Amarillo woman has been charged after a crash that killed her 16-year-old passenger and left two other teens injured. Police say Arissa Adams faces one count of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault.
According to Amarillo police, officers were called to the 1900 block of Port Lane about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. Investigators say the vehicle lost control while turning, left the roadway, and hit both a light pole and a tree.
Police say the crash ejected three occupants from the vehicle
Authorities say there were four people in the vehicle when the crash happened. Three of them were thrown from the car, including Adams, the 16-year-old who died, and the front-seat passenger.
The front-seat passenger suffered a broken ankle, while the back-left passenger remained inside the vehicle and was taken with a broken spine, according to the arrest report obtained by ABC 7 News. Police have not released the names of the teenage passengers.
Arrest report describes signs of intoxication after officers arrived
The arrest report says Adams appeared to be “highly intoxicated” when officers encountered her after the wreck. Police noted glassy eyes, slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol.
Investigators also reported finding several open containers of alcohol in the vehicle. Those details were part of the case that led to the intoxication-related charges, which focus on the condition police say Adams was in at the time of the crash.
Adams allegedly said the group had stolen alcohol before the wreck
Police say Adams told officers the group had just stolen alcohol from a Toot’n Totum store at 6802 Wolflin Ave. She also initially told officers that someone else had been driving and had left the scene.
That account became part of the investigation as officers worked to determine who was behind the wheel. The arrest report says the statement from the injured passenger, along with store surveillance video, helped police identify Adams as the driver.
Surveillance video and a passenger statement helped police identify the driver
Investigators relied on multiple pieces of evidence to connect Adams to the driver’s seat, including the account from the passenger with the broken spine and video from the store. Police said that evidence supported their conclusion that Adams was driving when the crash occurred.
The case remains centered on the deadly impact of the wreck and the allegation that alcohol played a role. The charges Adams faces reflect both the death of the 16-year-old passenger and the serious injuries to the other two occupants.
Funeral plans were already being made for the 16-year-old victim
The crash has already prompted funeral arrangements for the 16-year-old who died, underscoring the toll the wreck has taken on the families involved. Police have not released additional details about the victims beyond the injuries described in the arrest report.
With one teenager dead, two others hurt and an 18-year-old now charged, the investigation highlights how quickly a late-night drive turned fatal. Amarillo police continue to rely on the arrest report and witness statements as they document what happened in the minutes before and after the wreck.