Port Arthur, TX — October 17, 2025, a pedestrian was injured in an alleged drunk driver accident just before 9 p.m. on State Highway 347/Jefferson Drive.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2000 Toyota sedan was heading north in the 1700 block of Jefferson Drive when it hit a pedestrian.

The pedestrian, a 68-year-old man, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.

The Toyota driver, who was not hurt, was charged with driving while intoxicated, the report states. It says it was at least her third offense.

There were two children in the car with her at the time of the crash, according to the report.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Jefferson County crash at this 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; specifically, how someone already facing multiple DWI offenses was still able to get behind the wheel and allegedly cause harm again. The driver has been charged with driving while intoxicated and, if reports are accurate, this wasn’t her first run-in with alcohol-related driving. That alone raises important questions about whether there were missed opportunities to intervene before another person was seriously hurt.

One of the most important but often overlooked questions in cases like this is, “Where did the driver get their alcohol?” Texas law doesn’t just hold drunk drivers responsible. It also holds alcohol providers accountable when they serve someone who is clearly intoxicated and that person goes on to hurt someone. In a case where someone has two prior DWIs and still ended up allegedly driving drunk with children in the car, it’s reasonable to ask whether a bar, restaurant or store played a part by overserving or negligently selling alcohol.

There’s no public information yet about where the driver had been before this crash or how she got access to alcohol, but those are critical parts of the story that often go uninvestigated. Dram shop law exists to bring those missing pieces into focus; not to assign blame for its own sake, but to make sure everyone who contributed to the harm is held accountable. That’s especially important when someone on foot is seriously hurt by someone who allegedly shouldn’t have been on the road at all.

This case is a stark reminder of why accountability in alcohol service matters; not just for the safety of those on the road, but for everyone who has the right to walk down the street without fear.

Three important things to consider:

1. Texas dram shop law allows those affected by drunk driving crashes to investigate where the alcohol came from and whether it was served illegally.
2. If a bar or other alcohol provider overserved someone who was clearly intoxicated, the law may hold them accountable for the harm that followed.
3. Even in cases where criminal charges are filed, civil remedies exist that many people don’t realize they can pursue, especially when an innocent person is seriously injured.