CORY MCCOY, comccoy@tylerpaper.com and Andrea Martinez
(TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH) - A former Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Deputy has been charged with manslaughter, stemming from a February wreck.
Emily Ann Grubbs, 28, was charged with manslaughter on June 24. She was released from the Van Zandt County Justice Center after posting bail on a $5,000 bond, according information on the Van Zandt County District Justice Center website.
Grubbs struck Mary Lena Pettiet, a nurse, while driving through an intersection in Canton on February 15.
After months on life support Pettiet, 33, passed away at a Tyler hospital on May 5.
Jim and Kimbra Pettiet are still trying to come to terms with their daughter's passing.
"It’s always, as a mother, your worst nightmare to get that call or visit from someone that your child has been in an accident," said Kimbra.
They both say they want Justice. "If there’s not justice done, what kind of society have we turned into?" said Jim. "She made the decision to run that red light, and we’re the ones paying for it."
Kimbra, however, said she was satisfied that Grubbs got charged at all.
"I was afraid that being a police officer they might have not charged her. Or the Grand Jury may have not seen it the way I saw it."
The family said hospital bills for the time Lena was in the hospital total to over $1 million. And, according to Texas Tort Law, Van Zandt County is only liable to cover a maximum amount of $100,000.
Still, Kimbra says no amount of money can ever replace her daughter.
"It’s a new normal for us," she said.
Reports indicate that the emergency lights and sirens were on when the deputy’s vehicle entered the intersection and struck Pettiet’s vehicle, according to information obtained by the Van Zandt News.
The paper also said the investigation indicated Grubbs had driven around stopped cars and did not see the car driven by Pettiet.
The Van Zandt Sheriff's office had no comment on the incident.
For now, the investigation is being led by DPS.
