Denton man convicted in 2025 hit-and-run that killed a UNT student and injured another

A Denton man pleaded guilty Thursday to fleeing and attempting to cover up evidence of a crash that killed one University of North Texas student and seriously injured another. Tyras Andrew Batson, 29, was convicted of collision involving death, collision involving injury and tampering with evidence for the crash on April 12, 2025. He received five years in prison for each charge. The sentences will run concurrently. His father, Larry Batson III, 53, also pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence on Nov. 4, and received a deferred adjudication with 10 years of supervision. The crash occurred at about 2 a.m. at The Residences at Rayzor Ranch in the 2300 block of Carril Al Lago Drive. Witnesses reported a gray sedan struck two women as they crossed Carril Al Lago from Aurora Lane, and without slowing or stopping, it fled northbound on North Bonnie Brae Street. One of the women was unconscious when medics arrived. The other was conscious but in severe pain. Medics transported both to a local hospital. The unconscious woman succumbed to her injuries three days later. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office identified her as 22-year-old Deepthi Vangavolu. The other woman, whom the Denton Record-Chronicle will refer to as S.N., survived her injuries after an extensive hospital stay. She sustained a jaw fracture and required surgery. Both women came from India to attend UNT, where they were graduate students. The university reported Vangavolu was pursuing a computer science degree and was a student employee at Clark Bakery on campus. In the days following the crash, Denton police detectives obtained surveillance footage from multiple surveillance systems in the area. A gray Kia Optima pulled into a gas station a minute before the crash, and the sole occupant was captured getting in and out, according to the detectives. A home surveillance system captured audio of the crash and screaming. Less than a minute later, footage from Fire Station 5 captured the Kia speeding and failing to stop at a stop sign at Bonnie Brae and Windsor Drive. Two minutes after the crash, footage from a camera at Denton High School showed the vehicle pulling into a residential garage on Chivalry Drive. Detectives used police databases to identify the residents at that address, who included Tyras and Larry Batson. Larry Batson was the registered owner of a 2015 Kia Optima, but the gas station footage indicated Tyras Batson was the driver involved in the crash, according to police. Detectives interviewed Tyras Batson and reported he admitted to striking the women and knowing there was a police investigation. He towed the extensively damaged Kia to a friend’s house, purchased new parts from around the North Texas area and sold the car to a junk car buying service, according to an affidavit. Detectives executed a search warrant on Tyras Batson’s phone and located messages regarding the sale. Detectives arrested him five days after the crash. Larry Batson then came to the Police Department for a noncustodial interview. Detectives report he initially lied about what his son told him about the crash, then later admitted his son had told him he fled from a crash. The father also admitted to reading online articles about a police investigation into a Kia Optima’s involvement in a fatal crash, according to affidavits. Larry Batson admitted to withdrawing money to give to his son to tow the vehicle and get rid of it, detectives reported. At Tyras Batson’s plea hearing, prosecutor Sarah Seaborn read a victim impact statement on behalf of the surviving victim, S.N. S.N. wrote that Tyras Batson may only remember April 12, 2025, as one day. But she has to relive it daily. Every time she chews food and every time she stands or walks, she wrote, the physical pain and difficulty reminds her of that day. The ever-present anxiety and panic and fear when she leaves the house reminds her of that day, she wrote. S.N. wrote that she is grateful she survived, but the crash made her a different person. She looks back at old photos of herself and remembers what it was like to be extroverted and confident and joyful. She wrote she misses her happiness, her confidence and she especially misses her friend. When you are thousands of miles away from family, S.N. wrote, your friends become your family. She and Vangavolu were two young people with dreams and plans, S.N. wrote. Moving to another country was difficult, S.N. wrote, but they believed their sacrifices would one day be worth it. Because of the crash, S.N. wrote, she has had to focus on survival instead of her education and dreams. She wrote she is still trying to live those dreams, but is deeply worried she may lose opportunities to do so. Maintaining legal status as an international student comes with a lot of restrictions, S.N. wrote, and her medical issues have interfered with meeting those requirements. This crash, S.N. wrote, did not just last a few seconds for her as it did for Tyras Batson. Those few seconds last to this day for her and Vangavolu. Vangavolu will be remembered for her calm and composed nature, the UNT India Students Association wrote in a tribute to her. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISA@UNT (@isa.unt) “Deepthi was a sweet and simple soul,” the tribute reads. “Always kind, always helpful, and always there for others. Her gentle presence brought peace and positivity to those around her. … We remember you, Deepthi, and we honor your memory with love, respect, and prayers.” Get the latest crime stories in our newsletter Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Crime Report From minor traffic accidents to neighborhood watch updates, stay informed on public safety with the week’s top crime stories in your inbox every Wednesday morning. Please enter a valid email address. Sign up Manage your lists