Texas Woman Sentenced to 7 Years for Fatal DUI Crash

A Texas woman has been sentenced to seven years in prison and 10 years of probation for a fatal drunken-driving crash that killed a 19-year-old college student. Lynlee Pollis, 30, was convicted of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault.

As part of her probation, Pollis will be required to serve 15 days in jail each year. Some of these mandatory jail dates are specifically scheduled to coincide with the victims' birthdays, Pollis's birthday, and the anniversary of the crash, according to court orders.

The crash occurred in September 2023 when Pollis, driving an SUV at an estimated 67 mph in a 35-mph zone, ran a red light and struck a vehicle driven by Honor Wallace, a student at Southern Methodist University. Wallace was pronounced dead at the hospital. A passenger in Wallace's car, Catherine "CeCe" Solberg, sustained a shoulder injury and a concussion, and was later diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.

Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Pollis had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.294%, nearly four times the legal limit in Texas. Police responding to the scene noted that Pollis had glassy eyes, slurred speech, and smelled of alcohol.

Following a two-and-a-half-week trial, a jury deliberated for approximately three hours before reaching a guilty verdict. During the sentencing phase, victims' family members delivered emotional impact statements. Bobby Solberg, father of Catherine Solberg, criticized Pollis for prolonging the legal process and for what he perceived as a lack of accountability. David Wallace, Honor Wallace's father, addressed Pollis directly, stating, "You took the most precious gift from us through your selfishness. Own it. Own what you did."

Pollis's attorneys had argued for probation, citing her lack of prior felony convictions. However, the judge ultimately imposed the prison sentence and the structured probation terms. Pollis's dog, which was in the vehicle during the crash, was unharmed.