A jury found 40-year-old Jessica West guilty of Manslaughter in connection with a wrong-way crash on Interstate 30 that killed a retired U.S. Army veteran, Charles Hudson, just days before Christmas in 2020.
Hudson, who had served in active combat during the Persian Gulf War, was driving to work when West, under the influence of a high amount of prescription Adderall, struck him head-on. Investigators determined that Hudson had attempted to swerve to avoid the collision, but there were no skid marks from West’s vehicle, indicating she made no attempt to avoid impact. The collision sheared away the driver’s side of Hudson’s vehicle.
Good Samaritans who stopped at the scene described West as appearing very high. Hudson was transported by ambulance but died shortly after arriving at the hospital. Toxicology reports later confirmed West had amphetamines well above therapeutic levels in her system.
At trial, the defense argued West unknowingly consumed a super potent prescription due to an FDA manufacturer recall, but jurors rejected the involuntary intoxication defense. Her medical records showed a history consistent with intentionally misusing medication.
West, who had no prior criminal history and was probation-eligible, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The jury also issued an affirmative deadly weapon finding against her for the use of a motor vehicle during the offense.
The case was prosecuted by the Vehicular Crimes Unit, with Priscilla Pelli as second chair, and supported by DA Investigators William Martinez and Ronald Cathcart and Paralegal Maria Cantrell. The Dallas Police Department led the investigation.
