Baird: Mother of teenager killed in crash speaks out after new charges against accused drunk driver

BAIRD, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The driver of the car involved in a car crash in May that killed three Baird teenagers has been charged with aggravated assault and manslaughter while intoxicated.

In the early morning hours of May 5, two vehicles collided at the intersection of West 3rd Street and Payton Road in Baird. The crash killed 18-year-olds Layni Potter and Madi Buchanan and 16-year-old Ryan Bilby when their vehicle failed to yield the right of way to an oncoming pickup truck driven by 36-year-old Ashlie Haynes.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) took over the accident investigation and recently filed new charges against the pickup truck’s driver, Haynes.

Haynes was initially charged with drunken driving and released on bail shortly after the crash. However, Texas DPS investigators filed new charges against Haynes on Tuesday, including three counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault. The two assault charges involved the other two passengers in the teens’ vehicle.

In the state of Texas, manslaughter while intoxicated is classified as a second-degree felony and, if convicted, can result in a prison sentence of between 2 and 20 years.

In the wake of the loss, the entire Baird community seemed to come together to help each other cope. Baird ISD provided grief counselors from Region 14, not just for students, but for anyone struggling with the loss, and members of the community held a candlelight vigil for the slain teens.

A memorial currently stands at the crash site. The memorial contains crosses and other valuable items. Ashley Rudder, Ryan’s mother, described her feelings when she heard that Haynes had been arrested on new charges.

“I can finally accept it now because we have all been patiently waiting for the investigation to be completed so we can file charges against this woman who killed three beautiful souls… three babies,” Rudder told KTAB/KRBC.

Despite community support and relief efforts, the teens’ families are still suffering. Rudder continued, “It wasn’t just three families. Communities were involved. We’ve been through all three of the kids’ birthdays now. Last week was Ryan’s 17th birthday and everyone has stepped up and honored our kids and they continue to do so every day and no one has stopped praying for justice and we’re grateful to everyone for getting justice for these kids.”

Texas DPS investigators also determined that the driver of the truck had a blood alcohol content of .12 and was traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour on the night of the crash. Had Haynes been driving at the 40 mph speed limit on that road, the crash likely would never have happened, according to Texas DPS.