Early Sunday morning, a multi-vehicle crash on northbound I-35 in Round Rock claimed the lives of three individuals. According to the Round Rock Police Department, the collision occurred around 2 a.m. near the 1200 block of the highway, just north of Palm Valley Boulevard. Three vehicles were involved. One person was arrested at the scene and charged with Driving While Intoxicated. The investigation remains ongoing.
When an alleged DWI crash claims multiple lives, it’s important to consider whether the driver visited a bar or restaurant before the crash.
Could a Bar or Alcohol Provider Have Overserved the Driver?
Under Texas dram shop law, bars, restaurants, and other alcohol-serving establishments have a legal duty not to serve alcohol to a customer who is obviously intoxicated. If a business continued serving the alleged drunk driver after they were clearly impaired, and that overservice played a role in this crash, that business could share liability for the loss of life.
What Types of Evidence Should Be Examined?
In many DWI crashes, the story doesn’t begin at the scene. It starts hours earlier, wherever the driver consumed alcohol. A full investigation should include reviewing surveillance footage, receipts, witness statements, and the driver’s bank transactions to determine if a licensed alcohol provider served them while they were visibly impaired. This type of evidence often takes time to gather, which is why it’s so important for investigators to act quickly before it disappears.
What This Investigation Can Help Uncover
When lives are lost in a suspected drunk driving crash, answering what happened and why is critical. If a business helped create the conditions that led to this crash, only a thorough investigation will be able to uncover it.