A multi-vehicle crash on IH-37 in Corpus Christi early Wednesday morning left three people hospitalized and led to the arrest of a wrong-way driver. According to police, the crash occurred around 5:06 a.m. when a black pickup truck, traveling southbound in the northbound lanes, collided with three other vehicles, including a tractor-trailer.
Authorities determined that the 34-year-old pickup driver showed signs of intoxication and arrested him for allegedly driving while intoxicated.
Incidents like this often raise additional questions about how the driver came to be on the road in such an allegedly dangerous condition.
Was the Alleged Drunk Driver Overserved?
One important question in cases involving allegedly intoxicated drivers is whether they were served alcohol at a bar or other establishment before the crash. Under Texas dram shop law, alcohol-serving establishments may be held accountable if they serve alcohol to someone who is obviously intoxicated, and that individual later causes harm.
Investigators should review the driver’s activities leading up to the crash, including receipts, surveillance footage, or witness statements from any establishments he may have visited. If an establishment overserved the driver, it could share responsibility for the injuries caused by this crash.
What Evidence Should Be Reviewed?
To understand the full picture, investigators should gather evidence about the driver’s actions before getting behind the wheel. This includes locating potential witnesses who saw the driver’s behavior at any bars, restaurants, or other venues. Surveillance footage and credit card receipts could also help establish a timeline.
Additionally, police should collect data from the vehicles involved, particularly the Engine Control Module (ECM) from the vehicles involved. The speed and braking information provided by the ECM can help determine how the crash unfolded.
Why These Questions Are Important
Wrong-way crashes caused by allegedly intoxicated drivers often leave victims with serious injuries and unanswered questions. Determining whether a third party, such as a bar or restaurant, contributed to this driver’s dangerous state is crucial for ensuring accountability.
In my experience, cases like this often reveal that there’s more to the story than just the actions of the driver. Thorough investigations are essential to uncovering the full scope of responsibility and providing answers to those affected by the crash.