Huntsville, TX — September 8, 2024, an 18-year-old woman was seriously injured in a single-vehicle accident on Bobby K. Marks Drive in Huntsville.
According to authorities, the incident happened around 2:20 a.m. near 1821 Bobby Marks Drive, close to Bowers Boulevard. Preliminary investigation suggests a Ford F-350 truck with six occupants was traveling the wrong direction on Bobby Marks when the driver entered a nearby parking lot. Investigators allege the driver attempted to do a donut in the lot, at which point a passenger was ejected onto the blacktop.
The 18-year-old woman suffered a serious head injury in the accident. None of the vehicle’s five other occupants were hurt.
Investigators reported a belief that the 20-year-old driver had been drinking alcohol. Blood samples were collected for testing.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Obviously the idea that someone was driving under the influence here is troubling. If blood tests confirm those allegations then serious consequences seem fitting; those who drive under the influence deserve a harsh lesson. However, they may not be the only ones—what about whoever provided the alcohol?
Under Texas dram shop law, licensed alcohol vendors like bars and restaurants aren’t allowed to continue serving a customer if they can tell that person is drunk. The law calls it being obviously intoxicated, and at that point a business is required to cut them off and refuse further sales or service. Unfortunately not every business takes that obligation seriously and keeps pouring regardless of their customers’ state. When they do that and those customers hurt someone while excessively drunk, the victim may be able to sue the bar for the damage done.
To be totally clear, alcohol is not a confirmed factor in Huntsville and I’m not saying otherwise. Moreover, even if the driver had been drinking that doesn’t mean any specific business broke the law with over-service or by serving someone under 21. If tests confirm police suspicions, though, then it’s important to take the additional step of finding out where the alcohol came from. If a local business needs to get its priorities in order and a drunk driving victim can get some help in the process, that seems like more than enough reason to take the needed steps.
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