A Williamson County man was found guilty of DUI manslaughter after crashing his car in 2022.
TAYLOR, Texas — A central Texas man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for killing a couple more than two years ago.
A Williamson County jury on Nov. 14 found John Clayton Jr., 42, of Taylor, guilty of intoxication manslaughter.
Witnesses saw Clayton speeding in a Dodge Ram and swerving into oncoming traffic along FM 973 in Taylor on September 5, 2022, around 6 p.m.
Observers said Clayton drove along the shoulder, ran a red light and continued heading southwest along Carlos Parker Boulevard. The vehicle then collided with the Toyota Camry the two people were riding in.
The driver and passenger of the Toyota died at the scene. They were later identified as Christopher Ali Vasoff, 38, a handyman, and his wife, Leonora Soriano, 39, who worked as a chef at a nearby school.
The jury heard the Elgins were returning from a birthday party for Soriano’s mother when their car was struck by Clayton.
Paramedics found Clayton’s blood alcohol level to be 0.175, more than twice the legal limit.
Now, Clayton will spend 40 years in prison after serving 10 years for a previous crime. His past crimes include aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, assault domestic violence, evading arrest, and public intoxication.
“The senseless loss of life caused by Mr. Clayton’s reckless actions is a tragedy that could have been prevented,” Williamson County District Attorney Sean Dick said in a statement.
Mr Dick said he hoped the sentence would “bring some justice” to the families and friends of both victims.
