Texas Driver Accused of Killing College Student Had High Blood Alcohol Level, Trial Hears

A Texas driver accused of killing a college student in a drunken crash three years ago had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) nearly four times over the legal limit, according to testimony from a toxicology expert during the trial on Thursday. Lynlee Pollis was allegedly driving at nearly twice the speed limit when she ran a red light in Dallas, resulting in the death of 19-year-old Honor Wallace, a student at Southern Methodist University, in September 2023, as reported by The Dallas Morning News. Pollis, who was hospitalized following the crash, exhibited signs of intoxication, including glassy eyes and slurred speech, and had an odor of alcohol, according to previous reports. The now-27-year-old admitted to consuming a margarita with tequila shots while at an outdoor bar that allows dogs, including her own husky named 'Tequila,' as reported by Fox 4. Toxicology chemist Brittany Welch testified that Pollis's BAC was 0.294%, significantly above the Texas legal limit of 0.08%. Welch indicated that to reach such a BAC, Pollis would have needed to consume between six to eleven standard drinks or three to five larger drinks. Pollis's defense attorneys, George Milner and Scott Palmer, argued that the blood evidence was compromised and questioned the collection and handling procedures. While the defense acknowledged that Pollis was speeding and ran the red light, they contested the claim that she was intoxicated. Bodycam footage shown in court depicted Pollis standing and speaking without slurring, and several witnesses testified they did not detect alcohol on her. Pollis is facing charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault for the death of Wallace and the serious injury of her passenger. The trial began on Monday, with prosecutor Lauren Black stating that Pollis's BAC was 'well over' the legal limit. Testimony from Collision Safety Institute director Rusty Haight revealed that Pollis was driving at 63 mph, accelerating to 67 mph as she approached the intersection, which had a speed limit of 35 mph. The traffic light had been red for approximately five to seven seconds when Pollis collided with Wallace's vehicle, which was traveling through a green light. Wallace's vehicle was briefly airborne after the impact, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger sustained a broken collarbone, while Pollis suffered a fractured ankle. Pollis could face up to 20 years in prison for intoxication manslaughter and up to 10 years for intoxication assault.