Bexar County, TX — September 28, 2024, a man was injured in an alleged drunk driver accident shortly before 8:30 p.m. along Military Drive.

According to authorities, an unknown driver and a 53-year-old man who was a passenger were traveling in a westbound Chevrolet Malibu on Military Drive in the vicinity southwest of the Nock Avenue intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the Malibu was involved in a rear-end collision with a westbound Dodge Charger that had been halted at the time. A westbound Infiniti occupied by two men, ages 32 and 33, was also involved in the accident. Reports state that the person who had been behind the wheel of the Malibu fled the scene.

The 53-year-old passenger reportedly sustained serious injuries due to the wreck and was taken to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. It was also found, authorities state, that the 32-year-old man who had been driving the Infinity had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the wreck. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about incidents like this one, what stands out to me isn’t just what happened, but what’s missing from the conversation. In this case, a 53-year-old passenger was seriously injured in a multi-vehicle crash on Military Drive, and one of the drivers was reportedly under the influence of alcohol. Another driver fled the scene entirely.

If alcohol played a role in this crash, that raises some questions. One of the most important but often overlooked questions in cases like this is, “Where did the driver get their alcohol?” Texas law recognizes that when a bar, restaurant, or other alcohol provider serves someone who is clearly intoxicated, they may share responsibility for what happens next. That’s the kind of question dram shop law is built to answer.

It may be surprising, but in many drunk driving crash investigations, authorities lack the resources and support necessary to investigate where the alleged drunk driver was drinking prior to the crash. That’s why it’s so important for those affected to know that the law offers tools that many people don’t know they can use.

Takeaways:

• Dram shop laws in Texas allow injured parties to hold alcohol providers accountable if they served someone who was obviously intoxicated.
• Investigating where and how the intoxicated driver obtained alcohol is crucial to understanding the full scope of responsibility.
• Many people are unaware that they have legal options to explore these questions and seek accountability beyond the driver.