Farmersville, TX — September 29, 2024, 54-year-old Randall Stegman died in a motorcycle accident on State Highway 78 in Collin County.
According to authorities, the incident happened around 8:40 p.m. on the 2700 block of Highway 78 at Couty Road 614. PReliminary investigation suggests Stegman was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle south on the highway as 41-year-old Elida Alvarez drove a Dodge Dart north in the opposite lane nearby.
Investigators say Stegman may have failed to maintain his lane and drifted into the northbound lane, where he crashed into the front driver’s side of the Dodge. Alvarez told police she saw the motorcycle coming and pulled onto the northbound shoulder, but was unable to avoid the collision.
Randall Stegman was fatally injured in the collision with the Dodge. Alvarez and a passenger in the car reportedly received minor injuries and were taken to an area hospital.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
In their reports, officers mentioned a suspicion that the motorcyclist who lost his life might have been drinking before the crash. They may not have seen fit to follow up on that, since his passing means he’s beyond the reach of any legal consequences. However, finding out whether alcohol played a part in the crash might still be more important than some realize. But what do I mean?
A lesser-known but very important area of Texas law says that licensed alcohol vendors (bars, restaurants, stores, etc) are not allowed to sell or serve drinks to obviously intoxicated customers. Unfortunately, many businesses choose to ignore those rules and keep pouring as long as their customers keep buying. They don’t lose a wink of sleep after sending dangerously-impaired customers out the door. Dram shop law makes them pay a steep price for that recklessness, and in many cases helps the people they bars hurt.
With that said, I want to emphasize that police only suggested alcohol could have played a part. I’m not saying I know something they don’t, and I don’t want to undermine the effects on that man’s family. I only mean to point out that it’s important to investigate every possible factor carefully, because crucial details might be uncovered through that diligence. Everyone affected by this accident deserves to know no stone was left unturned to bring them the whole story. Can authorities deliver that confidence?
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