Abilene, TX — January 6, 2024, a pedestrian was injured in an alleged intoxicated driver accident in a parking lot off Pine Street at around 1:30 a.m.
According to initial statements from authorities, the incident happened in the parking lot on the southwest corner of Pine Street and North 3rd Street.
It appears that a 49-year-old man was in the parking lot on foot and near a Toyota Corolla parked by the entrance to the parking lot. While there, authorities say that GMC Sierra entering the parking lot crashed into the Toyota, hitting the pedestrian in the process, causing apparently serious injuries.
It’s alleged that the GMC driver fled the scene of the initial accident and was involved in another collision. Details suggest the driver is known to authorities, and they allege that the GMC driver was under the influence of alcohol. There was a recommendation for a charge of intoxication assault, but there is no official confirmation at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
It’s not at all surprising to me that authorities are saying that this crash involved alcohol. Even if all I knew about the accident was when and where it happened, the stats would be on my side that it was most likely a drunk driving accident. Those same details, though, make me wonder if an individual driver is the only one responsible for the victim’s injuries. After all, the stats also tend to show that after an alcohol-related crash, there was usually a bar who over-served the driver.
Let me explain why it’s worth considering this possibility. I’ve helped families involved in an alcohol-related accident confront hundreds of negligent providers over the years. Some of the biggest offenders are popular joints in established drinking districts. They get a huge influx of patrons on Friday and Saturday nights, and they focus solely on pouring drinks without considering the risk they’re creating to the community. Then, when people get hurt, the only way they see any consequences for their role in the accident is when someone seeks them out and holds them to account for what they did. That can come in the form of lawsuits, criminal charges, and penalties from the TABC.
Often, the difference between authorities pursuing the evidence wherever it leads and calling it a day after they arrest the alleged drunk driver is how much effort the victim or their loved ones put into ensuring those in a position to act do so.
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