Fatal DWI suspect bonded out of jail day before accident
Fatal accident occurred day after suspect bonded out of jail for drunk driving in Amarillo area.
The suspect arrested for a fatal drunk driving incident in Amarillo had been freed from jail just one day earlier on another DWI offense. William Shad Stephens had been charged with driving while intoxicated in Texas on Wednesday, December 9. It was his second offense for DWI in Texas. He was booked at the Potter County Jail and released Thursday. Shortly after 6:00 pm on Friday, Stephens was reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol again when his pick-up truck struck another pick-up, killing a man riding in the bed of the vehicle.
During an on-scene investigation, Stephens was placed in a police squad car for questioning. He escaped but was caught several blocks away and subsequently arrested.
Stephens, 33, has been booked on charges of intoxicated manslaughter and remains in jail on $65,000 bond. He had also been charged with possession of a controlled substance on December 3.
