A head-on collision involving an alleged drunk driver on Violet Road in Annaville, Texas, has resulted in the deaths of a Robstown man and an unborn child. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the crash occurred on Sunday, March 2, at approximately 7:50 p.m., when an alleged drunk driver of a Nissan Altima lost control and collided head-on with a Mercedes-Benz CLA traveling northbound. The crash left the occupants of the CLA, Amy Lopez and her husband, Mark Oliva, injured. Lopez, who was 23 weeks pregnant, lost the baby due to injuries sustained in the crash. A passenger in the Altima later died at the hospital.
Whenever I hear about a suspected drunk driving crash, I can’t help but wonder where the driver had been drinking and whether a bar or restaurant overserved them.
Could a Bar or Restaurant Be Held Accountable?
Under Texas dram shop law, businesses that serve alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person can be held liable if that person later causes serious harm or death. In a case like this, it is important to investigate whether the suspected drunk driver had been drinking at a bar, restaurant, or other establishment before the crash. If an alcohol provider served them despite clear signs of intoxication, they may share responsibility for the crash.
What Types of Evidence Should Be Examined?
To determine whether a dram shop claim is possible, investigators should gather receipts, surveillance footage, and witness statements from any bar or restaurant the driver visited before the crash. Reviewing credit card transactions, social media check-ins, and phone records could also help establish where they were drinking and how much alcohol they consumed.
Why Ask These Questions?
For those affected by this crash, understanding the full scope of responsibility is crucial. If a bar or restaurant overserved the alleged drunk driver, they could share some liability under Texas law. In my experience, these investigations often reveal critical details that aren’t immediately apparent, but are essential to learning the full story