Hidalgo County, TX — October 5, 2024, a 17-year-old Mission boy was injured in a car accident with a suspected DWI driver on Moorefield Road in Hidalgo County.
According to authorities, the incident happened around 7:05 p.m. on North Moorefield (FM 681) near Jessica Lane. Preliminary investigation suggests a Nissan Altima was traveling east on Jessica Lane when the driver made a wide right turn toward southbound Moorefield. While turning the car partially blocked the northbound lane where the teen driver approached in a Chevy C1500 pickup.
The teen reportedly steered left to try and avoid the Nissan but the car driver mirrored the evasion and the two crashed in the roadway. After the impact the car spun away and the pickup overturned on its side.
The 17-year-old Chevy driver was seriously injured in the crash. Reports indicate the Nissan driver was unhurt.
Investigators alleged that the Nissan driver was intoxicated and collected blood samples for testing.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
If blood tests confirm that the allegedly at-fault driver was intoxicated as authorities suspected, that may mean he’ll have some legal consequences for his poor choices that evening. Drunk driving is a serious problem on Texas roads and it’s only right that the people who do so are punished for putting others in danger. However, there may be other things to consider before all is said and done.
For instance, after alcohol-related crashes it’s important to find out where the alcohol actually came from. Why? Because a local bar or other alcohol vendor might have illegally over-served the injured suspect before the crash. If that happened in Hidalgo County, that business might be liable for the injuries the teen victim suffered under dram shop law. They would then have an obligation to make amends and help him get back on his feet—though of course someone would have to make them do that, and proving it would require careful investigation and clear evidence.
Considering how much damage a bar can do with loose serving standards, you’d think law enforcement would be more interested in making sure they obey the rules. Unfortunately, that has not been our experience. Almost every time we get involved to help a drunk driving victim, we’re the ones to find out the suspect was drastically over-served somewhere. If nobody ever follows up on the alcohol’s source in the Hidalgo County crash, there’s no telling if the whole story will be learned—or if the victim will get the help he deserves.
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