Authorities seek intoxication manslaughter suspect who allegedly violated bail conditions

Published 4:26 pm Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Jason Charles

Smith County is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jason Charles, 25, of Tyler, who was arrested for intoxication manslaughter on Jan. 15, 2022.

A Smith County grand jury returned an indictment for intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony, alleging the offense occurred on Jan. 14, 2022.

Charles is accused of driving intoxicated and killing a 17-year-old Tyler girl. 

Charles posted bond on Feb. 15, 2022. Court records allege that he violated his bond conditions, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

If anyone has any information leading to his arrest, contact Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.



Charles, 24, was indicted in March 2022 on an intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle charge. Charles is charged in the death of Lilly Thornburgh, 17. Thornburgh died from injuries in a late-night wreck wreck on Jan. 14, 2022 on Broadway Avenue.

According to Tyler Police Department Spokesman Andy Erbaugh, police responded at about 11:50 p.m. Jan. 14 to the crash in the 2800 block of South Broadway Avenue. A pickup driven by Charles was headed north on Broadway when it struck the back of a pickup driven by Thornburgh.

Thornburgh was taken to UT Health, where she later died.

Charles was also taken to UT Health and was later arrested and booked on a charge of intoxication assault. The charge was upgraded to intoxication manslaughter after Thornburgh died.

Charles was booked into the Smith County Jail on Jan. 15, 2022 on bonds totaling $650,000 on an on-sight charge of intoxication assault causing brain injury and the charge of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, according to online jail records. He was released one month later.

Online records show the DA declined to prosecute on the intoxication assault causing brain injury charge.