A 22-year-old man lost his life early Monday morning in a crash involving an 18-wheeler on Interstate 30 in Arlington. Police responded to the collision around 2:20 a.m. in the 2600 block of East I-30 near Six Flags. According to investigators, the victim’s car was stopped in a center travel lane with its lights off when it was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler traveling in the same direction. The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say open containers of alcohol were found inside the vehicle, and while the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, impairment is being considered as a contributing factor.
Whenever I hear about a crash involving open alcohol containers, especially one that occurs after 2 a.m., I think about whether someone might have over-served the driver before he got behind the wheel. In my experience, these questions are critical to understanding not only how the crash occurred, but also who might bear responsibility beyond the person in the driver’s seat.
Could a Bar or Alcohol Provider Have Overserved the Driver?
Under Texas Dram Shop law, alcohol providers—such as bars, nightclubs, and restaurants—can be held accountable if they serve alcohol to a customer who is obviously intoxicated and that person causes serious harm or death. The presence of open containers in this person’s vehicle raises legitimate questions about where he had been drinking and whether any business knowingly overserved him despite signs that he was no longer safe to drive.
What Evidence Should Be Collected?
To determine whether an alcohol provider was involved, investigators should seek surveillance footage, receipts, witness testimony, and electronic payment records that might identify where the victim was allegedly drinking prior to the crash. Cell phone location data and social media activity can also help trace his movements and establish a timeline. Toxicology results and body camera footage from first responders could provide further context.
Why This Kind of Investigation Is Necessary
I’ve worked on many cases where alcohol was a factor in a fatal crash, and I’ve learned that it's not always enough to ask what the driver did. It’s also important to ask who gave them access to alcohol, and whether they had a legal responsibility to stop serving the intoxicated person. A thorough investigation is the only way to get to the truth.