Mother charged with intoxication manslaughter in daughter's death
Booking photo of Shea Lynn Goss
Authorities have charged a 31-year-old mother with intoxication manslaughter in the death of her four-year-old daughter Tuesday.
According to Austin police, Shea Lynn Goss was traveling east on Riata Vista Circle near Parmer Lane when her car veered off of the road and struck a cluster of trees.
Police said bystanders found Goss and three of her children inside of the car. All were taken to a nearby hospital where one of Goss’ four-year-old daughters was pronounced dead. The two other children suffered serious injuries.
Police found two prescription pill bottles in her car—one for a skeletal muscle relaxant and another for a pain killer. Pills were also found scattered through the vehicle, a police affidavit said.
The medical staff who examined Goss told police that she appeared to be intoxicated and did not receive any medications from the hospital nor did she suffer a head injury which would account for her state, according to the affidavit.
When Goss was interviewed by police, the interviewing officer noted that her speech was “extremely slurred” and she fell asleep several times during the interview.
Goss has been charged with one count of intoxication manslaughter, a second degree felony, two counts of intoxication assault, a third degree felony.
Goss is currently being held in Travis County Jail on bonds totaling $800,000.
This is Austin’s 15th traffic fatality of 2013. At this time in 2012, there were 8 traffic fatalities.