Harris County, TX — October 24, 2025, Maria Collado was injured in an alleged drunk driver accident at approximately 3:15 p.m. on North Sam Houston Parkway East.

According to authorities, 38-year-old Maria Collado was traveling in a westbound Volvo sedan on North Sam Houston Parkway East at the John F Kennedy Boulevard intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that a southbound Ford Fusion ran a red light, entering the intersection at an apparently unsafe time. A collision consequently occurred between the front-left of the Fusion and the front-right of the Volvo.

Reports state that the person who had been behind the wheel of the Ford was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the wreck.

Collado reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

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. A serious crash in the middle of the afternoon involving an allegedly intoxicated driver raises obvious concerns, but few people stop to ask how someone ends up in that condition behind the wheel in the first place. That’s especially true when the wreck occurs before most people have even left work for the day.

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 it’s not just drivers who can bear responsibility for impaired driving—alcohol providers can be held accountable too, particularly when they serve someone who’s already clearly intoxicated. That’s the kind of question dram shop law is built to answer. If a bar, restaurant, or other alcohol-serving business overserved the driver in this case, they may have played a role in putting others at risk—including the injured party.

It’s not always obvious, but there may be more to this story than people realize. When someone is seriously hurt in a crash where alcohol is involved, it’s worth considering whether the person who served the alcohol also played a part. Holding all responsible parties accountable isn’t just about the law—it’s also about making sure those affected can get answers and that other businesses are reminded of their obligation to serve responsibly.

Three key takeaways:

• Texas dram shop laws allow injured parties to hold alcohol providers accountable if they overserve an obviously intoxicated person who goes on to cause harm.
• Afternoon crashes involving suspected drunk drivers may indicate alcohol was served during the day—something worth investigating further.
• Many people aren’t aware that if an overserving establishment contributed to a crash, the law offers a path to pursue justice beyond the driver alone.