Howard County, TX — December 31, 2025, Mauricio Hernandez and two others were injured and one was killed in an alleged drunk driver accident shortly before 8:30 p.m. along Gregg Street.

According to authorities, a 23-year-old man and a seven-month-old girl were traveling in an eastbound Toyota Corolla on West 5th Street at the Gregg Street intersection when the accident took place.

The man who had been driving the Corolla had allegedly been under the influence at the time of the wreck. Officials indicate that the Corolla entered the intersection at an unsafe time, failing to yield the right-of-way at a stop sign. A collision consequently occurred between the Corolla and a southbound Nissan Frontier occupied by 50-year-old Mauricio Hernandez and a minor.

All four people involved in the wreck suffered injuries over the course of the accident. The infant girl, however, was ultimately unable to overcome the severity of her injuries, having later been declared deceased. Authorities have recommended charges of Intoxication Manslaughter against the Corolla’s driver.

Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this—one that takes the life of a child and leaves multiple people injured—it’s a sobering reminder of how far the consequences of impaired driving can reach. According to reports, the driver of one vehicle may have been under the influence at the time. That kind of decision can have lasting, irreversible consequences—but it’s also important to ask: Was that decision made alone?

If the driver had been drinking before the crash, Texas law allows us to look beyond just the driver’s choices. Under our dram shop law, bars, restaurants, and other alcohol providers can be held responsible if they serve alcohol to someone who is clearly intoxicated, and that person goes on to cause serious harm or loss of life. It’s not just about liability—it’s about ensuring that those who profit from alcohol service also take responsibility when service turns reckless.

In this case, a child’s life was lost, and a family will never be the same. Mauricio Hernandez and others suffered injuries through no fault of their own. If the driver had been overserved before getting behind the wheel, the provider of that alcohol may have played a direct role in what happened. That part of the story often goes uninvestigated unless someone knows to ask the right questions.

Three key takeaways:

  • Texas dram shop law allows families to hold alcohol providers accountable if they serve someone who is clearly intoxicated and that person causes serious harm or death.
  • Fatal crashes involving suspected drunk driving—especially those that hurt or kill children—must include a thorough investigation into where and how the driver obtained alcohol.
  • Victims and families may have legal options beyond the driver, including the ability to uncover whether an alcohol-serving business contributed to the tragedy through overservice.

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