By Christine McCarthy
WACO- Judge Ralph Strother in Texas' 19th District Court on Friday found a Waco woman not guilty by reason of insanity for the charge of manslaughter in connection with the 120-mile-per-hour car accident that killed a 40-year-old Mexican national on February 3.
After hearing testimony from experts, Judge Strother said 28-year-old Miranda Monique Campbell (also known as Miranda Jones) had been insane at the time of the offense and ordered her to enter a mental health facility for an evaluation to last no more than 30 days before she is now considered sane and let go or committed to the appropriate facility for mental health treatment.
Waco Police first told News Channel 25 in February that Campbell was driving her Mercury Mountaineer after 6:00 a.m. at least 120 miles per hour on West Waco Dr. near 35th St., when she hit 40-year-old Isidro Pech Que's Ford Ranger pick-up truck. Que couldn't immediately be identified because his body was so badly burned.
Police said minutes before the accident, Campbell had stopped at the Waco Police Department claiming to be upset about a previous arrest. She also reportedly asked for water, and, because she had become unruly, an officer handcuffed her. An officer then checked her for any outstanding warrants, found none and released her because she didn't seem to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Her friend and passenger, 39-year-old Cindy Ann Murray, of Waco, also offered to give her a ride home.
Minutes after leaving, Waco Police found Campbell stopped in the road just a few blocks from the police station. An officer asked her to continue driving and she again asked for a glass of water but wasn't given any.
Shortly after that stop, Waco Police again spotted Campbell stopped at a traffic light at Waco Dr. and 18th St. and asked her to continue driving. For the third time, Campbell asked for water and then continued driving.
Waco Police said Campbell proceeded to drive and ended up causing the high-speed wreck that killed Que.
