Tarrant County, TX — November 28, 2024, Cliniesha Skippings and on other were injured following a car accident at around 10:26 p.m. on Peden Road.
Preliminary details about the accident say that it happened just off Peden Road and Morris Dido Newark Road, northwest of Fort Worth by Eagle Mountain Lake.
According to officials, 24-year-old Cliniesha Skippings was a passenger in a Honda Accord traveling eastbound along Peden. That vehicle reportedly crashed at some point, and Skippings had injuries described as serious.
The driver of the vehicle apparently did not have serious injuries. Authorities allege that alcohol was a factor in the crash. Official charges aren’t confirmed right now.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
If it’s true that the driver here was under the influence of alcohol, people may assume that just means there will be charges, and that’s that. However, there could be an accomplice here both responsible for breaking the law and for contributing to serious injuries: a negligent alcohol provider.
Simply put, bars and other establishments in Texas can potentially face consequences when they unlawfully over-serve someone who is obviously intoxicated. This can include possible criminal investigations, fines, suspended licenses, and liability for injuries resulting from the intoxication. This presents multiple potential legal avenues for victims and families to see a just conclusion for a local establishment’s reckless actions.
The challenge, though, is authorities are often narrow in their investigations. They may focus so much on blaming a driver that they ignore the fact there are people involved in the accident who have rights under Texas law. That’s why exploring those rights often requires independent efforts from the victims and families beyond authorities’ efforts alone. It remains to be seen if those steps were ever taken here.
