Fort Worth officer killed by intoxicated, wrong-way driver at the scene of I-35W fuel spill
FORT WORTH – An intoxicated wrong-way driver is responsible for the death of Fort Worth Police Sergeant Billy Randolph, the department announced Monday afternoon.
Sgt. Billy Randolph was standing outside his vehicle on I-35 Southbound near Sycamore School Road when a 2020 Nissan Versa drove through the accident scene and struck him.
Fort Worth Police identified the suspect driver as 25-year-old De Aujalae Evans of Fort Worth.
Evans is charged with intoxication manslaughter causing the death of a peace officer or firefighter. She remains in police custody and will be booked into the Tarrant County Jail on a bond of $750,000.
A tractor-trailer hit a guardrail around 2:40 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-35W at Sycamore School Road, where it caught on fire and spilled fuel. With the help of some bystanders, the driver got out of the vehicle with minor injuries.
About three hours later, a vehicle "came through the accident scene and struck an officer," according to police. The officer, Randolph, was taken by police to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth.
Randolph served with FWPD for 29 years, more recently assigned to the South Patrol. Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes, who has been with the department for 24 years, said he doesn't know what it will be like without Randolph.
"That's a new reality for all of us," Noakes said.
Noakes also said he wishes more drivers would pay attention on the road, especially when there are accidents.
"It was clear there was an accident and that the road was blocked off and that person still ran through," he said.
During a press conference Monday afternoon, Noakes after Evans struck Randolph, she continued driving, trying to flee. She drove roughly a quarter of a mile, stopped, and then tried to flee on foot, running before officers were able to take her into custody.
"There is no excuse for drinking and driving," said Noakes. "It is too easy to make plans beforehand or just use a ride service. Ms. Evans made a decision. Her decision was to get behind the wheel drunk."
"Our hearts go out to Sgt. Billy Randolph of the Fort Worth Police Department, who tragically lost his life today while serving his community," Gov. Greg Abbott said on social media platform X. "Anyone who selfishly drives drunk must be held accountable."
Fort Worth police said the highway would be shut down "for some time" while both accidents were being investigated.
All of the southbound lanes of I-35W were shut down, including the service roads, while the scene was cleaned up. Traffic was diverted to the exit at Altamesa Boulevard.
Fort Worth PD said the investigation is ongoing.
