Melissa, TX — May 24, 2025, Jeffrey Miller and one other were injured following a car accident at 11:42 p.m. along Highway 121.

According to initial details about the accident, it took place in the area of the North Texas Municipal Water District Landfill.

Investigators say that 39-year-old Jeffrey Miller was in a Ford Mustang traveling northbound. A BMW was traveling southbound. The two vehicles somehow crossed paths at the intersection, resulting in a collision. Jeffrey Miller reportedly was seriously injured while the other driver's injuries were described as minor.

At this time, authorities allege that the BMW driver was under the influence of alcohol when the crash occurred. They recommended a charge for driving while intoxicated.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a serious crash happens late at night and authorities allege that one of the drivers was under the influence of alcohol, it’s natural to focus on the person behind the wheel. But what we often don’t talk about is the role someone else may have played before that driver ever started the engine. In cases like this, one of the most important questions to ask is: Was that person over-served while already obviously intoxicated?

That’s the kind of question Texas dram shop law was created to address. Bars, restaurants, and other alcohol providers have a legal duty not to serve patrons who show signs of obvious intoxication. It’s not just a guideline—it’s a legal standard meant to prevent the kind of harm that happens when impaired individuals are allowed to keep drinking until they’re a danger to themselves and others.

But in the aftermath of a crash, those upstream decisions often go unnoticed. Investigators understandably prioritize what happened at the scene—vehicle movements, injuries, and potential criminal charges. Yet if an alcohol provider continued serving someone past the point of obvious impairment, that may be a critical part of the story that never gets examined unless someone asks for it.

As more details unfold, it’s worth remembering that accountability doesn’t always start at the moment of impact. Sometimes it starts with a decision to pour one more drink when the signs to stop were already there.

Three key takeaways:

1. If alcohol was a factor, Texas law prohibits providers from over-serving patrons who are obviously intoxicated.
2. The role of a bar, restaurant, or other alcohol provider is often left uninvestigated unless someone takes steps to look into it.
3. Legal accountability isn’t always limited to the driver—sometimes it begins with those who contributed to their condition.