A woman was struck and killed on I-10 by an alleged drunk driver on Saturday night. According to Houston police, a family was driving east on the freeway when a dispute inside the car led them to pull over on the left shoulder. A woman exited the vehicle for air and was struck by a passing driver who allegedly showed signs of intoxication. That driver remained at the scene and was detained for a potential DWI. Police are still investigating the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
While the circumstances leading up to this incident are unusual, the involvement of a potentially intoxicated driver raises serious concerns. It’s important that investigators get a complete picture of what happened and why.
Could a Bar or Restaurant Be Partially Liable?
If the driver who hit the woman was indeed intoxicated, one critical question is where they had been drinking before getting behind the wheel. Under Texas dram shop law, a bar, restaurant, or other alcohol-serving business may be liable for damages if they served alcohol to someone who was obviously intoxicated and that person later caused serious injury or death. Determining where this driver had been prior to the crash and whether staff at that location ignored visible signs of impairment is a key part of the broader investigation.
What Evidence Needs to Be Reviewed?
In a case like this, investigators will want to gather as much information as possible about the alleged drunk driver’s actions leading up to the crash. That includes any surveillance footage from bars or restaurants visited earlier in the evening, witness statements from staff or patrons, and receipts showing what and how much alcohol was served. Toxicology reports and field sobriety test results will also be important.
Why This Kind of Investigation Matters
When someone is killed in a crash involving alleged intoxication, it’s not enough to stop at the arrest. A complete investigation into where the alcohol was served can help determine whether others contributed to the conditions that led to the crash. In my experience, cases like this sometimes reveal that a bar or restaurant overlooked clear signs of impairment, putting everyone on the road at risk.