Justice David L. Bridges of the Fifth District Court of Appeals.

Justice David L. Bridges of Texas' Fifth District Court of Appeals was killed in a fiery crash caused by a suspected drunken driver traveling the wrong-way on westbound Interstate 30 near FM 2642 in Royse City Saturday night around 9:30 p.m., according to Royse City police reports.

Megan E. Smith, a 32-year-old from Royse City was driving the wrong way in the westbound lanes of the highway and struck two other vehicles, according to police.

One of the vehicles she hit was driven by Justice Bridges of Rockwall, which caught fire "as a result of the collision," and he died at the scene, according to police. The driver of the second vehicle Smith is accused of hitting was not hurt in the crash. Smith walked away with minor injuries and was later arrested after she left a local hospital. She was charged with intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony, then booked into the Hunt County jail, police said.

According to Bridges' biography on the Texas Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals website, he was first elected to the Fifth Court in 1996, and he began his service in 1997. Bridges was board certified in criminal law and criminal appellate law.

He earned his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in Lubbock in 1984, his State Bar of Texas profile said. In the beginning of his legal career, according to his court biography, Bridges worked as an assistant district attorney in Smith, and then Upshur counties.

He also served a stint as an assistant disciplinary counsel for the State Bar of Texas Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, an agency that prosecutes attorneys for professional misconduct. By the time he left the Texas Bar, he had worked his way up to first assistant in charge of litigation, according to his court biography.

Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Carol Donovan and many of Bridges' judicial colleagues expressed their condolences.

"Justice Bridges was someone who was greatly respected by the legal community, and he had established a reputation for collegiality, collaboration with fellow Justices, and genuine love of the law. The Democratic Party extends its deepest condolences to Justice Bridges' family at this time," Donovan said.

"The Fifth District Court of Appeals family is devastated by the terrible tragedy and loss of our esteemed colleague," said Robert Burns, chief justice of the Fifth District Court of Appeals.

"The judiciary is shocked by this news. This is a very sad day at the George Allen Courthouse and a real loss for the legal community," Judge Craig Smith said. "Justice Bridges was a good man, a fine jurist and a person whose contributions to public service should be commended and remembered."

"May God bless Justice Bridges' entire family during this heartbreaking time. We cannot believe this tragic news," Justice Robbie Partida-Kipness said.

"I am grateful that I had the chance to work with Justice Bridges," Justice Erin Nowell said. "He was compassionate and generous. We will miss him."

"It is at times like these that we realize how fragile life is. Justice Bridges was a fine public servant. We hold his family in our prayers," Justice Ken Molberg said.