Saturday, September 7, 2024
On July 16 in the 355th District Court of Hood County, Shaquettia Sonya Carter, 40, was sentenced to 14 years in the Texas penitentiary for the manslaughter death of Hayley Darnell. Carter will be eligible for parole after serving half her sentence.
The case was presented by District Attorney Ryan Sinclair and Assistant District Attorney Max Lisle. Carter pleaded guilty to the charge. According to Texas law, the punishment for manslaughter is from 2-20 years. Carter was also eligible for probation.
DETAILS OF THE CASE
According to a press release from the Hood County District Attorney’s Office, Hayley Darnell of Glen Rose spent the day of June 2, 2020 with her sons Brennan, 21, and Brody, 12. They had built their mom a patio set that day. Later that day Darnell took Brody to Acton for baseball practice.
Darnell then planned to buy groceries at H-E-B during Brody’s baseball practice, while Brennan dined out with a friend.
Darnell did not make it back to pick up Brody from practice because Carter struck Darnell’s vehicle while chasing another vehicle on Farm-to-Market Road 4.
Carter was in pursuit of a vehicle driven by her boyfriend who Carter suspected had been unfaithful. Carter passed several cars on the left and then on the right, and drove in the center turn lane in an attempt to pass cars. As Carter drove into the turn lane, she lost control of her vehicle and traveled into oncoming traffic, the press releases said.
An eyewitness said Carter was traveling close to 100 mph when the crash occurred.
When his mother did not arrive to pick him up and was not responding to his calls, Brody contacted his brother Brennan.
Brannon left the restaurant to pick up Brody and saw the accident on his way to the practice field. Brennon exited the vehicle and approached the scene saying, “I have to make sure that is not my mother.
Brannon was informed by the Justice of the Peace that the victim had perished. Long time family friend Cliff Andrews identified the body, the district attorney said. Andrews took Brannon to the baseball park to deliver the news to Brody.
“This was a horrific crash, and a tragic case. Hayley was very loved by her family and friends. The defense attorney pushed for probation, but the jury sentenced her to prison. I’m glad the Darnell family received justice, and hope this will help them in some meaningful way as they grieve their tremendous loss,” said Sinclair.
