A Little Elm ISD school nurse was killed Friday evening, March 21st, when an alleged intoxicated driver ran a red light and crashed into her vehicle in Prosper.
Authorities identified the victim as 41-year-old Raquel Torres-Sawyer, a nurse at Walker Middle School. The suspect, 25-year-old Austin Bruckner of Denton, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
The crash occurred just before 5 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 380 and Lovers Lane. Dash camera footage captured a black pickup truck, reportedly driven by Bruckner, speeding through a red light and colliding with Torres-Sawyer’s SUV as she made a legal left-hand turn.
Torres-Sawyer was transported to a hospital but later died from her injuries. Prosper Police Lieutenant Bryan Golden confirmed that she had the right of way when the crash occurred.
Bruckner was taken to a hospital for treatment before being arrested and booked into the Collin County Jail. A blood sample was obtained, and officers discovered a firearm in his vehicle, leading to the additional weapons charge.
This is Bruckner’s second DWI-related offense. He was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Dallas in 2021, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to one year of community service.
Little Elm ISD released a statement mourning Torres-Sawyer’s loss, describing her as a beloved mother of two and a dedicated educator.
The Prosper Police Department continues to investigate the crash, including Bruckner’s whereabouts before the incident and any other contributing factors.
