Texas Driver Accused in Crash That Killed College Student Had BAC Nearly Four Times Legal Limit, Expert Testifies
A Texas woman accused of causing a 2023 crash that killed a 19-year-old Southern Methodist University student had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.294% several hours after the collision, a toxicology expert testified Thursday.
Lynlee Pollis, now 27, is on trial on charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault in connection with the September 2023 Dallas crash that killed Honor Wallace and seriously injured Wallace’s passenger.
Prosecutors allege Pollis was driving well above the speed limit and went through a red light before colliding with Wallace’s vehicle.
Toxicologist testifies about 0.294% BAC result
Toxicology chemist Brittany Welch testified that testing performed hours after the crash showed Pollis had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.294%. Texas’ legal driving limit is 0.08%.
Welch estimated that reaching such a reading would typically involve consuming roughly six to 11 standard alcoholic drinks, or approximately three to five larger drinks or doubles.
Pollis reportedly acknowledged drinking a margarita containing tequila shots earlier while visiting a bar and dog park with her husky, named Tequila.
Following the collision, Pollis was hospitalized with a fractured ankle. Earlier reporting described her as having glassy eyes, slurred speech and the smell of alcohol.
Her defense attorneys, however, are challenging the prosecution’s alcohol evidence.
Defense disputes claim Pollis was drunk
Pollis’ blood alcohol level was nearly four times the legal limit hours after the crash, according to trial testimony.Lynlee Pollis/Facebook
Attorneys George Milner and Scott Palmer have questioned how Pollis’ blood sample was collected, handled and stored, arguing that the evidence was contaminated.
While the defense has acknowledged that Pollis was speeding and drove through the red light, her attorneys dispute that she was intoxicated at the time of the crash.
Body-camera footage shown to jurors has become part of that dispute. According to the report, the video showed Pollis standing without apparent difficulty and speaking without noticeably slurred speech.
Multiple witnesses also testified that they did not smell alcohol on her.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, have pointed to the toxicology results as evidence that Pollis was well above the legal limit.
Expert reconstructs final seconds before collision
The trial also heard testimony about Pollis’ speed as she approached the intersection at Monticello Avenue.
Collision Safety Institute director Rusty Haight testified Friday that Pollis was traveling at approximately 63 mph before accelerating to 67 mph. The posted speed limit was 35 mph.
According to Haight, the traffic signal facing Pollis had already been red for approximately five to seven seconds when the collision occurred.
Wallace was traveling through the intersection with a green light when the vehicles collided.
The impact briefly sent Wallace’s vehicle airborne.
The 19-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger suffered a broken collarbone.
Pollis faces up to 20 years if convicted
Pollis’ trial began Monday, with prosecutor Lauren Black telling jurors during opening statements that the defendant’s blood alcohol concentration was well above the legal limit.
The defense’s case centers in part on challenging the reliability of that blood evidence and contrasting it with footage and witness testimony concerning Pollis’ behavior after the crash.
Pollis faces an intoxication manslaughter charge in Wallace’s death and an intoxication assault charge related to the injuries suffered by Wallace’s passenger.
If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison for intoxication manslaughter and up to 10 years for intoxication assault.