2023-03-19

Woman, 42, killed when intoxicated driver runs red light, Amarillo police say

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — A woman was killed when an intoxicated driver ran a red light in downtown Amarillo, according to police.

The crash happened just before 7:30 pm. Saturday at the intersection of SE 3rd Avenue and Buchanan Street.

Police said a 48-year-old man was driving a GMC pickup east on SE 3rd at a "high rate of speed."

He ran the red light at Buchanan and hit a Ford sedan, according to police.

SE 3rd Ave and Buchanan Street on March 19, 2023, the day after the fatal crash (Steve Douglass/KVII)

The driver of the sedan, Laura Sanders, was transported to the hospital where she died.

According to her Facebook page, Sanders was a Special Education paraprofessional at Highland Park ISD.

A co-worker asked people to prayer her family.

"They lost a very special, important and sweet lady," said Amanda Wright-Smithee.

"Love you too the moon Laura Sanders. Thank you for always loving my kids like they were yours," said another co-worker, Tegan Land.

The driver of the pickup -- who's name has not been released -- was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The case is being investigated as intoxication manslaughter.

Justice of the Peace Debbie Horn ordered an autopsy on Sanders.

The crash was captured on a surveillance camera and turned over to police.

It shows the pickup truck approach the intersection as three vehicles headed north on Buchanan go through it.

The truck hits the last of the vehicles and pushes it into the parking lot north of the Amarillo Civic Center.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The initial information from police said the crash happened Friday night

Man arrested in deadly crash in downtown Amarillo

Excerpt

Amarillo police said they arrested a man on an intoxicated manslaughter charge after a deadly crash in downtown Amarillo.

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Amarillo Police Department said they arrested a man on an intoxicated manslaughter charge after a deadly crash in downtown Amarillo.

APD said yesterday, 48-year-old Patrick Wayne Nuner was arrested and booked into the Potter County jail for the charge of intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle.

The crash happened over the weekend, where 42-year-old Laura Sanders died at a hospital due to injuries.

APD Traffic Investigation Unit is investigating the crash.

Patrick Wayne Nuner(Potter County jail)

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