A crash on San Antonio’s West Side early Saturday morning left 24-year-old Victor Zarate Avila dead and led to intoxication manslaughter charges against a driver, according to police. The crash occurred around 12:40 a.m. at the intersection of West Travis and Northwest 24th streets. Investigators say a Chevrolet Silverado, driven by a 27-year-old man, disregarded a stop sign and collided with a Nissan Sentra. Avila, a passenger in the Nissan, was pronounced dead at the scene. Both drivers initially fled but the driver of the Silverado was eventually found, with police reporting that he showed signs of intoxication. The driver of the Nissan is still at large.
Whenever I hear about crashes like this involving an alleged intoxicated driver, I think about whether a bar or restaurant overserved them. Under Texas dram shop law, alcohol-serving establishments can be held responsible if they serve alcohol to someone who is already obviously intoxicated and that person later causes harm.
Could a Bar or Restaurant Share Responsibility?
If the driver of the Silverado had been drinking at a licensed establishment before the crash, investigators should determine whether bartenders or servers continued serving him despite clear signs of intoxication. Establishments have a legal duty to refuse service to patrons who are visibly impaired. Reviewing receipts, security footage, and witness statements could help clarify whether a bar or restaurant contributed to the circumstances leading up to the crash.
What Evidence Should Be Collected?
To fully understand what led to this crash, investigators should examine the Silverado driver’s actions in the hours leading up to the collision. This includes gathering credit card records, interviewing witnesses at any establishments he visited, and reviewing any available surveillance footage. A toxicology report will also be crucial in determining his blood alcohol content at the time of the crash.
Why This Investigation Matters
When an intoxicated driver causes a fatal crash, accountability shouldn’t stop at the driver. Texas dram shop law exists to prevent reckless alcohol service and protect the public from preventable harm. A thorough investigation could help determine whether this crash was not just the result of one person’s actions, but also a failure on the part of an establishment that continued serving alcohol when they shouldn’t have. In my experience, these cases often reveal factors that aren’t immediately obvious but are crucial for understanding the full scope of responsibility.