El Paso, TX — February 3, 2026, Jesus Chico Jr. was killed in an alleged drunk driver accident at about 10:40 p.m. on Interstate 10.
Authorities said a 2017 Ford Mustang was driving the wrong direction on westbound I-10 when it crashed head-on with a 2009 Honda Civic near North Mesa Street.
Honda driver Jesus Chico Jr., 25, died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to authorities.
The Ford driver, who suffered minor injuries, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, according to authorities.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the El Paso County crash at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When I read about incidents like this one, what stands out to me isn’t just what happened, but what’s missing from the conversation. Too often, the focus stays on the alleged driver’s conduct, and the broader circumstances that may have led up to that moment never get much attention. That gap matters, because accountability in cases like this doesn’t always begin and end on the roadway.
If reports are correct and alcohol played a role, one of the most important but often overlooked questions is where the driver was drinking beforehand. In Texas, the law recognizes that alcohol doesn’t serve itself. Bars, restaurants and other providers have a responsibility not to continue serving someone who is obviously intoxicated, and when that responsibility is ignored, the consequences can extend far beyond the front door. That’s the kind of question dram shop law is built to answer, yet it’s rarely discussed in the early aftermath of a crash.
It may be surprising, but in many intoxication-related crash investigations, there simply isn’t enough focus or resources devoted to tracing the alcohol back to its source. That doesn’t mean the answers aren’t there. It means they often require a deeper, independent look at receipts, witnesses, timelines and service practices that don’t show up in a standard police report. For families trying to understand how a life was lost, those unanswered questions can linger.
I come back to the same thought every time I see a case like this: the story may not be as simple as it first appears. Looking beyond the driver to examine whether overservice played a role isn’t about shifting blame; it’s about understanding the full chain of events and recognizing that the law provides tools to uncover the whole picture. Many people don’t realize those tools exist until they’re needed most.
Key Takeaways:
- Texas dram shop laws are designed to address responsibility that may extend beyond the individual behind the wheel.
- A full investigation can reveal whether alcohol service decisions contributed to what happened.
- There may be legal remedies available that most people are never told to ask about.
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