A man named John Crayton, Jr., from Taylor, was recently convicted of intoxication manslaughter in connection with a fatal crash that occurred in September 2022 in Taylor. The District Attorney’s office announced that Crayton was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his actions.
Originally, Crayton was charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter, but a jury in Williamson County found him guilty on one count and not guilty on the other. He received credit for 86 days of jail time, which will be applied to his sentence.
The tragic incident took place on September 5, 2022, around 6 p.m. when Crayton was driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck at a high speed on Farm to Market Road 973. Witnesses reported seeing the truck swerve into oncoming traffic and onto the shoulder before running a red light at the intersection with Carlos Parker Blvd SW. The truck collided with a Toyota Camry, instantly killing the two passengers, Leonora Soriano and her husband Christopher “Ali” Vassef.
Leonora and Ali, who were high school sweethearts and deeply involved in their community, were on their way home from Leonora’s mother’s 60th birthday party when the tragic accident occurred.
When emergency medical services arrived at the scene, they detected the smell of alcohol on Crayton’s breath. He refused to leave his vehicle or receive treatment. Subsequent testing revealed that his blood alcohol content was .175, which is over twice the legal limit.
The District Attorney’s office noted that Crayton has a history of criminal offenses, including prior convictions for assault family violence, burglary, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, evading arrest, and public intoxication. He had previously served 10 years in prison for these offenses.
District Attorney Shawn Dick emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for endangering the community through reckless actions like drunk driving. While the verdict and sentence cannot bring back the lives lost in this tragic incident, he hopes it provides some level of justice for the families and loved ones of Leonora and Ali.
This case serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the severe consequences of driving under the influence and the devastating impact it can have on innocent lives. It underscores the importance of making responsible decisions behind the wheel to ensure the safety of oneself and others on the road. Let us all make a commitment to prioritize safety and prevent such senseless tragedies from occurring in the future.
