McLennan County, TX — July 4, 2025, Barry Owens and one other were injured due to an alleged drunk driver accident at around 7:00 p.m. on Spring Valley Road.
Authorities said that the crash happened west of Lorena near the intersection of FM 2113/Spring Valley Rd. and Old Lorena Road.
According to officials, a 72-year-old Barry Owens was in a Hyundai Santa Fe traveling northeast along Spring Valley. A Hyundai Elantra was going the same direction when the driver reportedly failed to control speed. As a result, the Elantra crashed into Barry Owens.
Due to the crash, Barry Owens reportedly sustained serious injuries. The Elantra driver’s injuries were reportedly minor. That driver is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, and authorities recommended a charge for intoxication assault.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a serious crash is linked to alleged drunk driving, it’s natural for people to focus on the drunk driver. But Texas law encourages us to widen that lens. There’s often a complicit negligent alcohol provider who may also need to face accountability.
If authorities are correct that the driver of the Hyundai Elantra had been drinking before the crash, a critical but often overlooked question emerges: Where did that drinking take place, and who served the alcohol? Texas’ dram shop law exists to hold alcohol providers accountable when they serve a patron who’s obviously intoxicated.
If the Elantra driver was obviously intoxicated before getting behind the wheel, and a bar, restaurant, or other establishment kept serving anyway, that could be a factor in what happened here. These details matter not just for seeing a wrongdoer held responsible, but also because holding them responsible can get them to clean up their act before more people are hurt.
Key takeaways:
- When a driver is allegedly drunk, it’s important to investigate where they were drinking—and whether they were over-served.
- Alcohol providers can be held accountable under Texas dram shop law if they serve someone who’s obviously intoxicated.
- Victims in DWI crashes may have legal options that go beyond the driver—especially if a negligent alcohol provider contributed.
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