NAVARRO COUNTY, Texas — A Navarro County jury returned a not guilty verdict Thursday, February 26, 2026, in the criminal case against 90-year-old Winfred Duane Housewright of Grand Prairie, who had been charged with Accident Boating Death, according to an update released by The Law Office of Michael J. Crawford.
Prosecutors with the Navarro County District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Will Thompson and First Assistant District Attorney Andrew Wolf, pursued a third-degree felony charge, which carries a potential punishment of two to ten years in prison under Texas law.
The charges stemmed from a May 6, 2022 boating accident, when Housewright was 86 years old. During the collision, his 76-year-old fishing partner, who reportedly could not swim, was thrown into the lake.
According to the defense, Housewright immediately attempted to rescue his passenger by throwing a life jacket into the water and spending more than ten minutes trying to pull him back into the boat. He ultimately used the boat’s electronic motor tilt to help lift the man from the water.
Prosecutors alleged Housewright failed to properly render aid, failed to exchange identifying information, and caused serious bodily injury. Texas law requires boat operators involved in accidents to render aid and exchange information, but also states operators are not required to take action if doing so would create serious risk to themselves, their passengers, or the vessel.
During trial testimony, a Texas Game Warden told jurors he did not file felony charges because he did not believe the legal elements for failure to render aid or exchange information had been met, citing the immediate danger faced by Housewright’s passenger in the water.
After four days of testimony, jurors rejected the prosecution’s case and returned a not guilty verdict, ending the prosecution against the elderly defendant, who had no prior arrest history.
The case drew attention due to Housewright’s age, health condition, and the decision to pursue felony charges despite no initial criminal filing by responding law enforcement officers.
Attorney Michael Crawford said that the "decision cost Navarro County taxpayers time, resources, and four full days of trial" and that the "case that never should have been prosecuted."
