Amarillo, TX — August 8, 2024, Michael Poyner II and one other person were injured in a car accident at approximately 5:45 p.m. along Western Street.
According to authorities, 47-year-old Michael Poyner II was traveling in a northbound Ford F-150 pickup truck on South Western Street in the vicinity south of Plains Boulevard when the accident took place.
The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the pickup truck was rear-ended by a Jeep Wrangler occupied by a 30-year-old man which had failed to properly control it’s speed.
Poyner suffered reportedly serious injuries as a result of the wreck. The man from the Jeep sustained moderate injuries, as well, according to reports. Authorities allege that the driver of the Jeep was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. It’s unclear if charges have been filed.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
If the allegations here are true, then it wouldn’t be surprising if authorities ended up pursuing charges and closing the book on all this. However, these situations rarely begin and end at the drunk driver. There’s often an accomplice who can be held accountable for the harm they caused to the victims: an alcohol provider.
The reason for this is because alcohol providers who unlawfully over-serve customers can face criminal investigations, fines, suspended licenses, and liability for injuries resulting from that intoxication. Whether it’s a bar, a restaurant, a liquor store, or any number of other establishments, our laws found that they, too, should be held accountable for creating dangerous situations through irresponsible use of alcohol.
Too often, though, authorities miss this part. They’re content to see a driver have their day in court and move on. Well, I’ve helped hundreds of families affected by drunk drivers. People don’t want some bad guy to blame, and they don’t want an easy explanation. They want to see accountability for the harm done to them. That’s why it’s important for folks to understand that Texas law offers several avenues through which all parties responsible for a drunk driving accident can face appropriate consequences. Are those potential avenues being explored here?
call us 
Email Us 
Text us