A Closer Look at the Alleged Drunk Driving Hit-and-Run on Airline Rd. in Victoria, TX

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Authorities in Victoria, Texas, arrested a 19-year-old driver following a hit-and-run crash that left a 50-year-old motorcyclist, Brandon Weppler, seriously injured Sunday night. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. at the intersection of Airline Road and Sam Houston Drive. According to investigators, the suspect was driving a Chevrolet Trailblazer when he allegedly struck Weppler’s motorcycle and fled the scene. Officers later located the SUV on Guadalupe Street and arrested the driver on charges of intoxication assault and accident involving serious bodily injury.

Crashes like this raise important questions about whether the driver had been overserved alcohol prior to the collision. When intoxication appears to play a role in a serious or fatal crash, it’s not enough to stop at the arrest. Investigators must also determine where and how the driver obtained alcohol before getting behind the wheel. This is especially important given that the accused driver is under the legal age to purchase alcohol.

Did a Restaurant or Bar Serve the Accused Driver?

Texas dram shop law allows alcohol providers, such as bars, restaurants, or convenience stores, to be held civilly liable if they serve someone who is obviously intoxicated and that person later causes injury or death. In this case, determining whether the 19-year-old suspect consumed alcohol at a licensed establishment could help identify additional responsible parties beyond the driver himself. Establishing these facts requires tracing the driver’s movements, purchases, and interactions leading up to the crash.

Key Evidence That Should Be Examined

Investigators will likely review surveillance footage, receipts, and witness statements from local bars, stores, or private gatherings where alcohol may have been served. Police reports and toxicology results will also help determine the driver’s level of impairment at the time of the crash. If a business served him despite signs of intoxication or in violation of age restrictions, it could face liability. Interviews with bartenders, servers, or clerks may provide additional insight into whether obvious intoxication or age was ignored.

Why Comprehensive Investigation Matters

While the driver’s arrest is a critical first step, it doesn’t provide the full picture of how this preventable crash occurred. If an alcohol provider contributed to this situation by serving an intoxicated or underage customer, that information deserves to be uncovered.