San Antonio, TX — January 25, 2025, a child was injured in a car accident at about midnight in the 10100 block of Ingram Road.

Authorities said a 2010 Volkswagen CC was rear-ended by a 2023 Chevrolet 1500 as it was trying to make a left turn, knocking it into the oncoming lanes of traffic.

A 3-month-old child was hospitalized with serious injuries after the crash, while the driver and two other juveniles in the car were not injured, according to authorities.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated with a child under 15, authorities said.

The pickup driver, who was arrested shortly after fleeing the scene of the crash, has been charged with causing a collision involving serious bodily injury, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash.

Commentary

When a crash involves allegations of drunk driving, especially one that leaves a child seriously injured, it’s critical to look beyond the surface details and ask how the circumstances leading to the crash developed. Reports indicate the driver of the Volkswagen, traveling with multiple children, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after being involved in an accident. That raises an important question: How did the driver become intoxicated in the first place, and should anyone else share responsibility for what happened?

Most people assume the responsibility for a drunk driving crash rests solely on the person behind the wheel, and while they are certainly accountable for their actions, Texas law recognizes that others can also contribute to these dangerous situations. Specifically, under Texas dram shop law, alcohol providers can be held responsible if they serve alcohol to someone who is obviously intoxicated. This law exists to prevent crashes like this one by discouraging unsafe alcohol service.

In my experience, it’s rare for someone to become intoxicated to the point of impairment without anyone noticing. That’s why it’s crucial to investigate where the alleged drunk driver was drinking prior to the crash. If a bar, restaurant, or other alcohol provider overserved them despite clear signs of intoxication, they may bear responsibility for their role in putting everyone involved in this crash at risk.

A thorough investigation could help determine whether an alcohol provider violated the law by overserving the Volkswagen driver, which may not only help the injured child and their family but also promote public safety by holding irresponsible businesses accountable.

From where I sit, a crash investigation isn’t complete until we know where the driver obtained alcohol and whether the law was followed. Answering those questions is key to ensuring accountability and making our roads safer for everyone.