Man pleads guilty in 2022 crash that killed Escambia County deputy: NorthEscambia.com

A man has pleaded guilty in a fatal crash that killed an Escambia County sheriff’s deputy in October 2022.

Tristen Cole Parker pleaded guilty to manslaughter, driving on a suspended license and assault causing bodily harm. There was no plea deal and he faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in December.

Parker failed to stop at a stop sign and his truck crashed into an oncoming silver Jeep driven by a deputy.

Deputy Chief Kevin Ray, of Canton, and his 15-year-old daughter were traveling from Troy, Ala., when the crash occurred on Highway 85 east of Laurel Hill, Fla., at 8:40 p.m. Oct. 15.

Ray was pronounced dead at the scene and his daughter was airlifted to a local hospital where she continues to recover. A white 2012 Dodge pickup truck driven by Parker rolled several times, destroying utility poles, before coming to rest in a field at the southwest corner of the intersection.

“There were beer cans near the passenger door of the Dodge truck that had been in the pickup truck and had been thrown during the rollover,” an investigator wrote in an arrest report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.

“When a witness arrived at the scene of the accident, Tristen Cole Parker got out of his vehicle on his own, but identified himself as the sole occupant and operator of the suspect vehicle,” the report said. “While being treated at the scene by Okaloosa County Fire Paramedics (redacted), Tristen Cole Parker admitted to consuming 3-4 alcoholic beverages prior to the collision. (The paramedic) also smelled alcohol on Tristan Cole Parker when he was talking.”

Parker was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

“While speaking with Tristen Cole Parker, Mr. Parker spontaneously told (the trooper) that he had 2 or 3 ‘beers’ prior to the collision,” the report states. Despite initially agreeing to a voluntary blood draw, Parker refused to provide a blood sample when hospital staff arrived at his ward.

An FHP traffic homicide investigator also noted that Parker had bulging eyes, slurred speech, a dry mouth, a thick tongue, a flushed face and an odor of alcohol. The investigator said Parker had labored breathing, slow, deliberate movements and repetitions.

The FHP said Parker’s certified Texas driving record included multiple convictions for driving with a suspended license in that state.

Ray has been a member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s family for over 20 years. He was assigned to guard the courthouse for more than ten years.