In The News

Drunken driver gets 12 years

By MELODY McDONALD
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

FORT WORTH -- A 23-year-old Azle man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for driving drunk and causing a wreck in October that killed Brandon Evans, the son of a Lake Worth pastor.

Ryan John Vierkant -- who was facing from probation to 20 years in prison -- reached a plea bargain Friday, pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter and received the 12-year term. State District Judge Bob Gill also revoked Vierkant's probation for an unrelated burglary charge and sentenced him to 15 years in prison in that case.

Both sentences will run at the same time. Vierkant must serve at least half of the 12-year term before he is eligible for parole.

Prosecutor Christy Jack said that, as part of plea agreement, Vierkant agreed to testify in a lawsuit against the establishment that sold him drinks that night.

Jack said the victim's father, Curtis Evans, pastor of Grace Chapel United Pentecostal Church in Lake Worth, plans to use any money won in the lawsuit to help build a youth center at his church in his son's name.

"This was the plea offer that Curtis Evans requested," Jack said.

Vierkant's defense attorney, Randy Bowers, said her client "is extremely remorseful about the entire tragedy."

She said Vierkant chose to stay in jail awaiting disposition of his case -- instead of getting out on bond -- and completed an alcohol-abuse program while there.

She said he plans to continue with substance-abuse treatment in prison and when he gets out.

"He realizes that he has a problem with alcohol," she said.

Police have said that 23-year-old Evans was waiting at a red light at Boat Club Road and Cromwell Marine Creek Road on Oct. 1, when Vierkant's Pontiac Grand Am slammed into the back of his Ford Mustang. Evans' car was pushed several hundred feet and caught fire.