Granbury, TX — July 31, 2024, Kenneth McDowell was killed and Patricia McDowell and two others were injured in an alleged drunk driver accident on U.S. 377.
Authorities said the crash took place at around 8:15 p.m. in the area of U.S. Highway 377 and Old Cleburne Road.
According to officials, Kenneth McDowell and Patricia McDowell, both 86, were in a Ford Escape going eastbound on U.S. 377. They reportedly had a green light while turning left onto Old Cleburne Road. That’s when a westbound Toyota Corolla reportedly ran the light and crashed into them. Due to this, Kenneth McDowell was killed, and Patricia McDowell sustained serious injuries. Two occupants from the Toyota had reportedly moderate injuries.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
At this time, authorities allege that the Toyota driver was under the influence of alcohol, and they recommended the driver be charged for intoxication manslaughter. If that allegation is true, seeing full accountability for this may require more than just charging the alleged drunk driver. This is because many drunk driving accidents involve negligent alcohol providers who over-served the driver, and they, too, can be held accountable.
The problem with this is that authorities aren’t often motivated to investigate beyond a drunk driver’s actions. Not long ago, for example, I had a case where a drunk driver hit a family’s car head-on, nearly killing a young child. Our investigations found that the bar who served the drunk driver did so illegally, continuing to pour drinks even though the man’s intoxication presented a clear danger to the public. Despite their egregious behavior, for which there was plenty of evidence, authorities were nowhere to be found. Had the family in that case not sought out a second opinion for their situation, it’s likely that bar would have been let off the hook to continue putting the community at risk.
It’s possible that there was no complicit alcohol provider here, or it could be authorities here have been more thorough and are ensuring there will be consequences for all wrongdoers involved. My point is that there are many times where seeing appropriate consequences requires the victims and families involved to actively ensure investigations aren’t too narrow in their considerations. Otherwise, something important could slip through the cracks.
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