Intoxicated Driver Causes Tragic Death of Local School Nurse in Prosper
PROSPER – A devastating incident occurred last Friday when an intoxicated driver struck a school nurse, resulting in her untimely death. The incident was captured on dash camera footage, which has since surfaced, providing a harrowing account of the moments leading to the tragic crash.
Details of the Crash
According to the Prosper Police Department, authorities were called to the intersection of Highway 380 and Lovers Lane just before 5 p.m. Following the incident, investigators released dash camera footage showing an SUV attempting to make a left turn when a speeding black truck ran a red light and collided forcefully with the vehicle.
The driver of the SUV, identified as 41-year-old Raquel Torres-Sawyer, was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The individual driving the black truck was identified as 25-year-old Austin Bruckner from Denton. He was also taken to a hospital to receive treatment for serious injuries sustained in the impact.
Legal Consequences
Following the incident, police collected a blood sample from Bruckner, which indicated intoxication. He has since been charged with intoxication manslaughter and is currently held at the Collin County Jail.
This incident is not Bruckner’s first encounter with law enforcement. In 2021, he faced charges for driving while intoxicated in Dallas, to which he pleaded guilty, resulting in a sentence that included one year of community service.
Community Reaction
Local authorities emphasized that Torres-Sawyer had the right of way at the time of the accident. Lieutenant Bryan Golden from the Prosper Police Department commented, “This is tragic. It’s an accident that did not need to happen.”
Torres-Sawyer is remembered fondly by her family, friends, and colleagues. She leaves behind a husband and two children and was a dedicated nurse and educator at Walker Middle School in Little Elm ISD for about a year, where she had a profound impact on her community.
Little Elm ISD expressed sorrow over her loss, highlighting the meaningful contributions she made during her tenure.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is still ongoing, with Police looking into Bruckner’s movements prior to the accident. Notably, a firearm was discovered within Bruckner’s vehicle, which has led to additional charges against him for unlawfully carrying a weapon.
Source: Prosper Police Department
