Royce Robison, 26, formerly of Kyle, was sentenced by a Hays County jury to 15 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for intoxication manslaughter and 10 years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Nov. 20, according to the office of Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins. These sentences will run concurrently. This came one day after the same jury found Robison guilty of both felony counts.
The evidence in the trial showed that, on Dec. 2, 2022, Robison was driving while intoxicated and “T-boned” a vehicle as it was turning into the entrance of a residence. Robison was driving east on Clovis Barker Road at approximately 63 miles per hour in a 45-miles-per-hour zone and ran a stop sign at the intersection of Clovis Barker and FM-123. Robison struck the driver-side door of the victim’s vehicle, causing the death of the driver, 58-year-old Crisanta Cazares. Her son, Francisco Cazares, and her 8-month-old granddaughter were also in the vehicle. Cazares’
granddaughter suffered from a skull fracture and liver contusion, leading to the aggravated assault charge.
On scene, Robison admitted to being the driver of his truck and being responsible for the collision. At trial, he took the stand and attempted to blame an innocent passenger who was asleep at the time of the accident, according to a press release from Hays County. Evidence in the trial, including video surveillance that showed Robison exiting the driver's side directly after the collision, proved that Robison’s version of events was untrue. Robison showed no remorse for his actions throughout the two-week trial and expressed no apologto the packed courtroom filled with Cazares’ loved ones, according to Hays County.
Following the conviction, the state presented evidence in the punishment case that Robison had been arrested a year prior to the incident for public intoxication, as well as testimony from Cazares’ family members about the impact Robison’s actions have had on their lives as they grieve their significant loss. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh, her charity to many in this community and her role as a mother, sister and grandmother of seven.
This case was investigated by the San Marcos Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cassidy Story and Jessica Rabena, assisted by Sandra Groters, Avery Slocum, Cristina Kearbey and Sergeant Investigator Robert Torres.
“We want to thank the jury for honoring Crisanta’s life with their sentence,” Story said. “We also
want to express our gratitude to the family for their patient and unwavering faith in the justice system as they waited for long overdue closure."
