A Texas woman is facing serious felony charges after authorities alleged that her reckless and intoxicated driving caused a devastating three-vehicle crash that left a 7-year-old boy with life-altering injuries.
Investigators say the collision occurred in February in Waco and resulted in the child suffering an internal decapitation, a rare and catastrophic injury that caused permanent paralysis.
Texas Woman Arrested Months After Serious Crash
Anissa Cantrell Bell, 45, has been charged with one count of first-degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of second-degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The charges stem from a crash that occurred near the intersection of Gholson Road and Hicks Drive in Waco, Texas, on the night of February 20.
Authorities allege Bell was driving recklessly and under the influence of alcohol when the collision occurred. After a lengthy investigation and accident reconstruction, law enforcement arrested Bell and formally charged her in connection with the incident.
Investigators Say Reckless Passing Led to Collision
According to court documents, Bell was driving northbound in a GMC Acadia shortly before 11 p.m. when she attempted to pass two vehicles in a no-passing zone.
Investigators say the maneuver almost caused an immediate crash when Bell’s vehicle nearly collided with an oncoming car. Authorities stated that the approaching driver managed to move out of the way and avoid impact.
Moments later, however, Bell allegedly collided head-on with a southbound Chevrolet Equinox. The force of the collision then caused the Equinox to strike a Kia Forte, creating a multi-vehicle crash involving three automobiles.
The entire incident was reportedly captured by security cameras from a nearby business, providing investigators with important evidence during the case.
Crash Reconstruction Revealed High Speed
As part of the investigation, accident reconstruction specialists examined vehicle data and other evidence collected from the scene.
According to authorities, Bell was traveling approximately 67 miles per hour in a zone where the speed limit was 45 miles per hour around 4.5 seconds before the crash occurred.
Investigators determined that she applied the brakes shortly before impact, reducing her speed to approximately 51 miles per hour less than one second before the collision.
Officials believe the excessive speed played a significant role in the severity of the crash and the injuries sustained by those involved.
Young Boy Suffered Catastrophic Injuries
Several people suffered injuries in the crash, including Bell, the other drivers, and a 7-year-old passenger.
Emergency responders transported all injured individuals to a local hospital for treatment.
According to investigators, the young boy suffered devastating injuries to his neck and head. Authorities stated that he experienced an internal decapitation, a severe medical condition in which the skull separates from the spinal column because supporting ligaments are torn while the skin and muscles remain intact.
The injuries left the child permanently paralyzed, making him the most seriously injured victim in the collision.
The case has generated significant public attention because of the severity of the child’s injuries and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Alcohol Evidence Found at the Scene
Investigators also uncovered evidence suggesting alcohol played a major role in the collision.
According to the arrest affidavit, officers discovered a half-empty bottle of tequila inside Bell’s vehicle following the crash.
When officers later met Bell at the hospital, they reportedly observed signs consistent with intoxication. Authorities alleged that her speech was heavily slurred and that she appeared confused while interacting with law enforcement personnel.
Those observations led officers to conduct further testing to determine her level of impairment.
Blood Alcohol Level Allegedly Far Above Legal Limit
Approximately 50 minutes after the collision, authorities measured Bell’s blood alcohol concentration.
According to investigators, her BAC registered at 0.22, which is nearly three times the legal driving limit in Texas.
Prosecutors are expected to use the test results as a key piece of evidence in the criminal case.
Law enforcement officials argue that Bell’s alleged intoxication significantly contributed to the reckless driving behavior that resulted in the crash.
Arrest and Release on Bond
Following the completion of the investigation, Bell was arrested on Tuesday and booked into the McLennan County Jail.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, she was later released after posting a personal recognizance bond valued at $100,000.
The criminal case will now proceed through the Texas court system, where prosecutors will seek to prove the charges against her.
As of now, Bell has been charged but has not been convicted, and she remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
