Guadalupe County, TX — June 7, 2025, Michael Palmer and one other were injured following an alleged drunk driver accident at 2:21 a.m. along FM 78.
According to initial details about the accident, it happened near the intersection of FM 78 and 1st Street.
Investigators said that 76-year-old Michael Palmer was the driver of a Ford Explorer going westbound along FM 78. A Nissan Rogue was going eastbound. Authorities say that the Nissan driver was under the influence of alcohol when a collision occurred with the Ford.
Due to this crash, authorities say the Nissan driver was seriously injured while the Ford driver reportedly had minor injuries. Right now, potential charges are unclear, and additional details are unavailable.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a serious crash happens in the early morning hours and authorities allege that one of the drivers was under the influence of alcohol, it naturally raises questions about how that driver ended up on the road in the first place. The collision may be the most visible part of the story—but it’s rarely the beginning.
If the driver of the Nissan Rogue had been drinking, one of the most important yet under-asked questions is whether they were over-served while already obviously intoxicated. That’s exactly the kind of scenario Texas dram shop law was designed to address. The law prohibits alcohol providers from continuing to serve someone who shows signs of obvious intoxication, because doing so can contribute directly to the kind of danger that played out here on FM 78.
Yet in many cases like this, the investigation doesn’t go that far. Law enforcement typically documents the crash itself—who was driving, who was hurt, and whether a charge is appropriate. But unless someone asks where the drinking occurred and whether over-service played a role, the involvement of an alcohol provider often goes unexplored.
So while this incident will be remembered for what happened on the road, real accountability may require asking who helped set that chain of events in motion.
Three key takeaways:
- Texas law prohibits alcohol providers from over-serving patrons who are obviously intoxicated—especially when public safety is at risk.
- Investigations into suspected drunk driving crashes rarely examine the source of alcohol unless someone pushes for it.
- When impairment is alleged, identifying all contributing factors—including unlawful alcohol service—can be essential to understanding the full scope of responsibility.
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