LOCAL MAN SENTENCED 55 YEARS IN PRISON FOR MANSLAUGHTER

ANAHUAC, Tex. – A Chambers County Jury found Douglas Ray Smith guilty of the 2024 death of  Adrian Combs. The jury, which returned a verdict on August 6 for manslaughter, sentenced him to  55 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, after Smith’s vehicle struck Combs’ bicycle.  

The jury heard testimony from the Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper who worked the scene,  and his assessment of some of the contributing factors to Combs’ death, including the fact that  Smith failed to control his speed and struck Combs, who was lawfully in the roadway, and that  Smith was using his phone prior to and during the crash. The Court ruled that the jury could not be  made aware of the fact that Smith was driving his vehicle with a suspended license.  

“These cases are never easy, but I’m thankful the jury got it right,” First Assistant District Attorney  Dane Listi said.  

Listi, who led the prosecution, was assisted by ADA Eric Carcerano. The jury trial began on August  4, 2025, and was presided over by Judge John Delaney, a visiting judge in the 253rd District Court.  

“My deepest sympathies go out to the Combs family. It is never easy to lose someone you love, but  to have to lose someone as wonderful as Adrian in such a senseless and preventable manner made  it all the more tragic,”Chambers County District Attorney Cheryl Lieck Henry said. “I want to thank  law enforcement, the jury, the court staff, and the members of my staff who made the world a little  bit more right after this verdict.”