Woman gets probation after accident in which hospital emergency room employee died

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE/Gray News) – A Texas woman has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in an accident that killed a hospital worker.

Kelly Renee Poole was arrested in connection with a car crash that killed 41-year-old Hector Martinez of Nacogdoches.

Martinez was an admissions officer at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital.

According to the accident report, Poole's vehicle was traveling south on Farm to Market Road 187 in 2022. She passed other vehicles and entered the northbound lane of the road, where passing was prohibited.

Martinez's vehicle was traveling northbound in the roadway while Poole attempted to pass other vehicles. Both Poole and the victim ended up in a ditch. Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to District Attorney Andrew Jones, Poole pleaded guilty, but there was no agreement between the state and the defense. The defendant chose to plead guilty before the judge and be punished by the judge. The case was retried for a sentencing hearing.

After admitting and reviewing the pre-sentence investigation report and hearing the testimony of witnesses, including Poole and the victim's family members, the court sentenced her to five years' probation.

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