Katy, TX — June 3, 2024, Manuel Edwards was killed in an alleged drunk driver accident at about 8:15 a.m. in the 11500 block of Gaston Road.
Authorities said a bicyclist was heading north toward Katy Flewellen Road when he was hit by a U-Haul truck.
The bicyclist, 55-year-old Manuel Edwards, died after being flown to a local hospital, according to authorities. Manuel Edwards was an off-duty constable for Harris County Precinct 2.
The U-Haul driver was arrested on charges of intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Fort Bend County crash at this time. The accident is still being investigated.
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. A bicyclist, who also happened to be a local constable, was struck and killed on a weekday morning. The driver was arrested, and authorities suspect intoxication was involved. That’s a serious charge on its own, but it also invites a broader question that often goes unasked: If this driver was impaired, where did he get his alcohol?
One of the most important but often overlooked questions in cases like this is, “Was there a business that served this driver before they got behind the wheel?” Under Texas law, if a bar, restaurant or other alcohol provider overserves someone who’s obviously intoxicated and that person causes a serious crash, the law gives the injured party’s family the right to hold that business accountable. It’s called the Texas Dram Shop Act, and while most people have never heard of it, it plays a crucial role in cases just like this one.
We may never know the full story unless someone takes the time to investigate whether overservice occurred. That’s not something that automatically happens in every DWI case, especially not in the early stages of an investigation. But for families left searching for answers, knowing where the alcohol came from can be just as important as knowing who was behind the wheel.
It’s not always obvious, but there may be more to this story than people realize.
Key Takeaways:
- Dram shop law holds alcohol providers accountable when they overserve someone who is clearly intoxicated and that person causes harm, like in a drunk driving crash.
- Identifying where the driver was drinking before the incident could be critical in understanding how this happened and whether a business also shares responsibility.
- Families often don’t realize they have legal options under dram shop law, but the law exists to offer answers, and accountability, when overservice plays a role.
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