A pedestrian was killed in Dallas, Texas, early Saturday morning after being struck by a vehicle driven by an allegedly intoxicated 28-year-old man, according to Dallas police. The crash occurred in the 3000 block of S. Great Trinity Forest Way, near Bonnie View Road. Authorities arrested the driver and charged him with driving while intoxicated.
Whenever I hear about an allegedly DWI-related crash, I immediately think about where the driver had been before the collision and whether a bar or restaurant overserved them before they got behind the wheel. Under Texas dram shop law, businesses that serve alcohol can be held liable if they knowingly serve someone who is obviously intoxicated and that person later causes harm to others.
Where Was the Driver Before the Crash?
One of the key questions investigators should examine is where the driver allegedly consumed alcohol before the crash. If he had been drinking at a bar, restaurant, or other establishment, investigators should determine whether staff continued serving him despite signs of intoxication. Reviewing surveillance footage, credit card receipts, and witness statements from any places he visited that night could help determine if a third party shares responsibility for this incident.
What Types of Evidence Should Be Collected?
To fully understand whether a bar or restaurant contributed to this crash, investigators should gather evidence such as receipts from alcohol purchases, surveillance video from businesses, and statements from bartenders or patrons who saw the driver before the crash. If there is information to suggest that an establishment continued serving him while he was obviously intoxicated, that business could be held accountable under Texas dram shop law.
Why It’s Important to Ask Questions Like These
Drunk driving crashes don’t just happen in isolation—there’s often a larger chain of responsibility that needs to be examined. If the driver was overserved by a bar or restaurant, that business may bear some liability for allowing an obviously intoxicated person to continue drinking and then drive away. In my experience, these investigations often reveal critical details that aren’t immediately obvious but are crucial in determining accountability for those affected by the crash.