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Big Sandy man gets 20 years for driving intoxicated, killing East Texas father in 2023 wreck

Collins was on his way to pick up his son after the Sept. 8, 2023 Winona Wildcats' game when the wreck occurred, according to a GoFundMe​.

TYLER, Texas — A Big Sandy man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday for driving intoxicated and killing an East Texas father in 2023. 

William Chaplinski, 22, was convicted of intoxication manslaughter in connection with the death of Harry Collins III, 42, of Tyler, following a roughly three-day trial. On Friday, a jury then sentenced him to 20 years, according to online judicial records. 

Collins was on his way to pick up his son after the Sept. 8, 2023 Winona Wildcats' game when the wreck occurred, according to a GoFundMe. 

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, on Sept. 8, 2023, Collins was driving north on State Highway 155 when Chaplinski's vehicle was moving south on SH 155 and then crossed the center line trying to pass another vehicle. Chaplinski then hit the SUV head-on.

DPS found that Chaplinski was intoxicated at the time of the crash. Collins was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Credit: Smith County Jail

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