Robert Delmon Gray, 57, of Helotes is set to spend decades in prison after admitting guilt in a Kendall County crash that killed two people. On March 30, 2026, Gray accepted a plea agreement and received a 30-year sentence for a head‑on collision on State Highway 46 West near mile marker 478 on Jan. 5, 2025. The impact sent a Mazda CX‑5 off the roadway, where it erupted in flames and killed both occupants. Court records state Gray must serve at least half of his sentence before he can be considered for parole.
According to News 4 San Antonio, prosecutors were able to push past the usual 20-year statutory cap for intoxication manslaughter by using a prior felony conviction to enhance Gray’s punishment range. The Kendall County District Attorney’s Office offered condolences to the victims’ families and called the crash preventable.
Crash and victims
The wreck unfolded in the Hill Country in the midafternoon when Gray’s eastbound Ford F‑750 allegedly crossed the double yellow line and slammed into a westbound black 2017 Mazda CX‑5. The Mazda’s occupants, 68-year-old Bandera County residents Phillip Michael Pena and Marcia Kay LaRochelle, were both killed. Pena died at the scene, and LaRochelle later died at University Hospital in San Antonio, according to the San Antonio Express‑News.
Investigation and toxicology
First responders reported that Gray appeared confused and disoriented after the collision. A toxicology screen later showed THC, amphetamine and methamphetamine in his system, KSAT reported. Investigators relied on video footage and witness statements to back up their conclusion that Gray failed to maintain his lane before the head‑on impact.
Prosecution and courtroom team
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Alessandra Deike and Derly Chapa led the prosecution, supported by District Attorney Chief Investigator Billy Hunt, crime analyst Kristal Reser and victim-services coordinator Liz Jimenez, according to News 4 San Antonio. The state also leaned on work from Texas Department of Public Safety investigators identified in court filings as Corporal LaFerney and Troopers Wilson and Pennington, whose findings were part of the evidence package presented in the case.
Legal notes
Under the Texas Penal Code, intoxication manslaughter is typically a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and an optional fine of up to $10,000, with room for enhanced penalties in certain situations, per the Texas Penal Code. Prosecutors said Gray’s prior felony conviction allowed them to pursue a longer term using those enhancement provisions, which ultimately shaped the plea agreement and 30-year sentence.
Local context
Residents have long complained that this stretch of SH 46 is dangerous, and local coverage has repeatedly highlighted safety concerns. The Boerne Star pointed to an October 2024 head‑on crash nearby and noted neighbors’ renewed calls for fixes to the roadway. The paper reported that the Jan. 5 collision shut down the highway for hours and left the community again pressing local officials for changes.
