A Sunday night crash in Alto, Texas claimed the life of 55-year-old Austin resident Yvette McVey and seriously injured two others after a truck allegedly ran a stop sign and struck their SUV on Highway 69 near FM 1911. Alto police said the driver of the truck, a 21-year-old man, was allegedly speeding, ran a stop sign, and showed potential signs of intoxication. Open alcohol containers were allegedly found in his vehicle, and he was later arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault.
Whenever I hear about a fatal crash involving alcohol, I immediately think about the role that bars and alcohol providers might have played. Texas law holds alcohol vendors to a clear standard: if they serve someone who is obviously intoxicated, they can be held accountable for the harm that person causes. That’s the foundation of our dram shop law.
Could a Bar or Alcohol Provider Have Contributed to This Crash?
If the driver who was allegedly drunk had been drinking at a licensed alcohol provider before getting behind the wheel, it’s critical to find out where he was served and whether it happened after he was already obviously intoxicated. The point of dram shop liability is to hold an establishment accountable when they ignore warning signs and continue to serve someone who is clearly impaired.
Key Evidence That Should Be Reviewed
In cases like this, a thorough investigation should look beyond the crash site. Surveillance footage from nearby bars or convenience stores, receipts, credit card records, witness statements, and security footage can all help trace where the alcohol came from. Blood alcohol test results will also be essential to confirm intoxication levels at the time of the crash. These pieces of evidence may clarify whether a bar or restaurant served the driver in violation of Texas law.
Why Careful Investigation Matters
When a crash involves alcohol, it’s important to determine exactly what led up to it. That includes looking into where the driver allegedly obtained the alcohol and whether there were signs of obvious intoxication before the crash. A complete investigation can help explain what happened and ensure all contributing factors are properly examined.