Midland, TX — November 27, 2025, Marcella Lerma was injured in a suspected drunk driver accident at about 6:50 p.m. in the 1000 block of East Florida Avenue.
A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado C2500 was heading west when it collided with an eastbound 202 Dodge Journey near Atlanta Street.
Dodge driver Marcella Lerma, 75, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.
The Chevrolet driver, who is suspected of being intoxicated at the time of the crash, was not injured, the report states. He is not facing any charges at this time.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Midland County crash.
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, especially when early reports suggest alcohol may have been involved. The public tends to focus on the driver’s actions, which makes sense. But in Texas, accountability doesn’t always end there. Sometimes, an alcohol provider may have played a role behind the scenes, especially if they continued serving someone who was clearly intoxicated.
That’s where Texas dram shop law comes in. It gives those harmed in alcohol-related crashes the ability to find out whether a bar, restaurant or other alcohol-seller overserved the person who caused the crash. These cases are rarely obvious at first glance, but with the right investigation, it’s often possible to determine whether the alleged drunk driver was coming from a place that had a legal responsibility to stop serving.
If alcohol played a role in this crash, it raises important questions about where the driver had been drinking, how intoxicated they may have appeared and whether anyone behind a bar recognized the risk, or ignored it. That’s the kind of question dram shop law is built to answer.
Most people don’t realize this kind of legal tool exists, and unfortunately, it’s rarely part of the initial investigation. But it can make a real difference; not just for the injured party, but in helping prevent future incidents.
Here are three important things to consider:
- Texas law holds alcohol providers accountable if they serve someone who is obviously intoxicated, and that person causes harm.
- When alcohol is suspected in a crash, it’s worth asking where the driver was drinking and whether that establishment followed the law.
- The law offers tools that many people don’t know they can use, especially when it comes to holding all responsible parties accountable.
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