Houston police say a woman was severely injured Sunday night after a suspected drunk driver hit her near W. Dallas Street and the Gulf Freeway. The crash happened around 9:15 p.m., and emergency crews found the woman pinned under the vehicle. She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, while the driver was arrested at the scene for suspected DWI.
When I hear about a case like this, I immediately wonder what led up to the crash. In my experience, the key to understanding the full story is investigating where the driver had been and what they were doing before they got behind the wheel.
Could a Bar or Restaurant Be Partially Responsible?
When someone causes serious harm while allegedly intoxicated, one important question is whether a bar or restaurant may have played a role. Under Texas dram shop law, an alcohol provider can be held liable if they served someone who was obviously intoxicated and that person went on to cause a crash. If the driver in this case had been drinking at a licensed establishment shortly before the incident, that business may share in the responsibility for what happened.
What Evidence Should Be Reviewed?
To determine whether a dram shop claim might apply, investigators should gather surveillance footage from nearby businesses, interview witnesses who saw the driver before the crash, and review receipts or credit card records from bars or restaurants in the area. Toxicology results, as well as the timing of any alcohol purchases, could also help paint a clearer picture of how much the driver was allegedly drinking.
Why It’s Important to Fully Investigate Accidents Like This
When a serious injury is caused by alleged intoxication, it’s not enough to just hold the driver accountable. A full investigation may reveal whether others also contributed to the events that led to the crash. In my experience, dram shop cases often uncover important facts that would otherwise be missed—facts that are crucial to providing answers to those affected by the incident.