Drunk driver gets 10 years in prison in car crash that killed Arlington ministry student

A drunk driver who was arrested in a crash that killed an Arlington ministry student was sentenced this week to 10 years in prison, according to Tarrant County court documents.

Bryan Lizarzaburo Penafiel, 24, received his sentence Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle. He was arrested on June 26, 2022.

Lizarzaburo Penafiel was driving a 2007 BMW 328i and was speeding eastbound on East Arbrook Boulevard when he ran a red light and hit a 2008 Ford Focus that was northbound on South Collins Street, according to Arlington police.

The Ford was being driven by 23-year-old Keymon Jones. He was visiting his family in Arlington from Illinois, where he was studying ministry. He was on his way to pick up his mother, Angel Jones, and give a sermon at an Arlington church, according to his family.

The collision caused the Ford to roll and Keymon Jones was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Based on their investigation, Arlington police believed Lizarzaburo Penafiel was intoxicated at the time of the crash. He was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was booked into the Arlington city jail after being released by the hospital.

Today's top stories:

→ H-E-B announces third Tarrant County location

→ Teen killed, 2 injured in shooting at Fort Worth after-prom party

→ Nuns claim ‘hostile’ takeover, reject Vatican decree, bishop’s authority

🚨Get free alerts when news breaks.

Two days after the deadly crash, Lizarzaburo Penafiel posted bail on a $20,000 bond and was required to use an interlock device — a breathalyzer — with a camera while driving, according to court documents.

According to KDFW-TV and social media posts, Keymon’s family reported him missing when he never showed up to pick up his mom. They called hospitals and retraced his steps.

After a day of searching, during which the family even passed the intersection where Keymon Jones was killed, Angell Jones was notified that her son had died in the accident.

The victim’s mother told KDFW at this week’s hearing that the family hoped for a longer sentence for the man who killed her son.

“I know God has a purpose for him and for all of us. It has damaged my life for the worst,” Angell Jones told KDFW. “That will never ever fill the hole in my heart.”