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Man who violated probation, gets prison for death of San Angelo woman

SAN ANGELO — A former San Angelo resident was sentenced to prison Monday after violating the terms of his probation in connection to a fatal drunk driving incident more than 10 years ago. 

In 2011, James Russell White was sentenced to 10 years probation on charges of driving while intoxicated that resulted in the death of a San Angelo woman who was ejected from White's vehicle, records state. 

While on probation, White was arrested on charges he drove under the influence of alcohol in Pennsylvania. 

On May 6, 2019, White stood before 51st District Court Judge Carmen Dusek and pleaded "true" to violating the terms of his probation in a plea agreement made with state prosecutors to avoid a potential 20-year prison sentence. 

In exchange for his plea, Dusek accepted the recommendation of state prosecutors and sentenced White to five years in prison. 

In October 2011, four months after his guilty plea, White requested the court to amend the conditions of his probation in order to work and reside in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, which was granted the following month, records state. 

Seven years later, state prosecutors with the Tom Green County district attorney's office filed a motion to revoke White's probation, according to court documents. 

In August 2018, prosecutors argued White violated the terms of his probation.  They claimed White had violated curfew, consumed alcohol, and then drove under the influence of alcohol in York County in June 2017. 

The court issued a warrant for White's arrest in August 2018, according to online court records. 

White was placed on the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office's "Most Wanted" list in October 2018.  About three months later, White was arrested and booked into jail in January 2019, according to online jail records. 

Victim's family has been 'to hell and back'

After White was sentenced to prison Monday, Jean Donalson, the mother of Chrystal Johnson, stood and addressed the court over how her daughter's death had impacted their family. 

"Mr. White chose to drink and drive," Donalson said. "( Chrystal's) daughter struggles with the loss of her mother every day." 

Donalson — while stating she didn't blame White directly — noted that one of Johnson's siblings had died by suicide later. 

"Our family has been to hell and back," Donalson said, and stated the family was glad to hear of White's arrest after he violated probation.