The case State vs. Leedarion Lucas ended with a verdict of guilt on the charge of manslaughter. The case, investigated by the Dallas Police Department's Vehicular Crimes unit, revolved around a tragic incident that occurred on January 29, 2021.
At approximately 5:50 pm that day, a 68-year-old grandmother and her 70-year-old husband were on their way home from visiting their adult daughter in Pleasant Grove. The couple, who had been together for nearly five decades and had recently retired, were looking forward to an upcoming vacation.
Around the same time, the defendant, Leedarion Lucas, along with a co-defendant, Reginald Bernard Manning, were racing each other down Lake June Road. Witnesses reported that both vehicles were traveling at excessive speeds, exceeding 90 MPH, and running red lights as they headed eastbound from Buckner Blvd. towards Prairie Creek.
In the moments leading up to the collision, witnesses described the alarming scene of the racing cars and the deafening sounds of engines revving. Tragically, as the elderly couple attempted to make a left turn onto Lake June Road, Lucas's vehicle smashed the driver's side of their car, causing it to flip and skid down the road.
The impact proved fatal for the grandmother, who suffered a broken neck and immediate, fatal heart injuries. Her husband also sustained severe injuries in the crash.
After a trial, Leedarion Lucas was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 35 years in prison.
