Wampler gets 10 years probation in traffic death

A Kendall County judge sentenced Blake David Wampler last week to 10 years probation in connection with a fatal crash that killed a teacher along FM 473 in Kendalia in 2024.

Judge Kirsten Cohoon of the 451st state District Court handed down the deferred adjudication following a two-day presentencing hearing in the death of Kim Brasher, 55.

Wampler was also ordered to complete 500 hours of community service, pay a $10,000 fee in addition to court costs, and submit to drug and alcohol testing as part of the terms of his probation.

According to court records and testimony during the proceedings, Wampler, now 29, was driving a Chevrolet truck on the wrong side of 473 in a no-passing zone when his vehicle collided with Brasher’s Toyota Prius.

Brasher was driving on the correct side of the roadway, officers said.

The fatal collision occurred about 10 p.m. on June 8.

Friends at the time said Brasher, originally from Arkansas, was a dyslexia teacher in Austin, had two children, taught yoga and loved being outdoors.

Authorities initially announced Wampler would be charged with intoxication manslaughter. However, on May 18 of this year, Wampler entered a guilty plea to manslaughter after a Kendall County grand jury found insufficient evidence to proceed with the intoxication-related charge.

As part of the sentence, Cohoon ordered Wampler to serve 154 days in the Kendall County Jail, or for the rest of the calendar year.

He was taken into custody immediately after victim-impact statements were delivered during Friday’s hearing.

As part of his probation, Wampler must report to the Kendall County Jail each year on June 8 and June 9 — the anniversary dates of the crash — for the next 10 years and serve two days in custody.

Court officials said any positive drug or alcohol test during the probationary period could result in Wampler receiving a 10-year prison sentence.

Prosecutors were Kendall County assistant district attorneys Andrew Fields and Steven Belt.

Wampler was represented by defense attorneys Gary Trichter, Todd Overstreet and Troy McKinney.