Motion to Revoke Ashley Hardwick's Probation Filed with Jasper County Criminal District Court

Jasper County Chief Deputy Jack Jett tells KFDM News Ashley Hardwick posted $5,000 bond and was released from jail early Monday afternoon after Judge Joe Bob Golden set bond and issued an arrest warrant on a motion to revoke her probation.

Monday morning, the Jasper County District Attorney filed a motion to revoke Hardwick's probation with the Criminal District Court in Jasper County, along with a warrant for her arrest, and Judge Golden told KFDM News he signed the motion and the warrant Monday morning.

Judge Golden says the next step is a hearing on the motion to revoke, formally known as a Motion for Adjudication of Guilt, which could take place in the next ten days. He says a judge has many options in such a case, including allowing a defendant to remain free on bond until trial, sending a defendant to jail, or fining a defendant.

Hardwick, 24, was indicted last week on a charge of Intoxication Manslaughter in connection with the death of a Lumberton High School student.

Investigators say on December 18, she struck and killed 17 year old Zachary Spears, who was a junior at Lumberton High School. Witnesses say the vehicle left the scene.

He was walking on Old Silsbee Highway with another person.

If convicted of the charge, Hardwick could face two to 20 years in prison.

Hardwick was placed on three years probation last year for a 2005 drug conviction in Jasper County. The charge is a State Jail Felony.

According to the Motion for Adjudication of Guilt, the charge of Intoxication Manslaughter against Hardwick is a violation the conditions of her community supervision on the Possesion of a Controlled Substance case that was adjudicated on February 16, 2007 in Jasper County.

In addition, the motion states Hardwick violated the terms of her community supervision by admitting verbally and in writing on or about December 21, 2007, in the presence of a Community Supervision Officer, that she had used marijuana after February 16, 2007 and during the period of her community supervision.

Stay with KFDM News for the latest on the story.