Patrick Sweeney, 2 Others Injured in Alleged Drunk Driver Accident near Longview, TX
Rusk County, TX — February 20, 2025, Patrick Sweeney and two others were injured in an alleged drunk driver accident at about 4 p.m. on F.M. 2011.
A preliminary accident report indicates a 2010 Ford Expedition tried to pass a 2025 GMC Sierra in a no-passing zone as both vehicles were headed east over Lake Cherokee. The Expedition sideswiped the other vehicle, and both SUVs ended up overturning.
GMC driver Patrick Sweeney, 73, suffered suspected serious injuries in the crash near Longview, according to authorities.
The two women in the Expedition suffered minor injuries, the report states. The driver, a 19-year-old who didn't have a driver's license, was charged with intoxication assault after the crash.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Rusk County crash.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a young driver, allegedly intoxicated and unlicensed, attempts a risky pass in a no-passing zone and causes a rollover crash, it raises a critical question: Where did she get her alcohol?
Texas law makes it clear that bars, restaurants and even social hosts cannot legally serve alcohol to someone who is obviously intoxicated. If this driver was drinking at a bar or other establishment before the crash, that business may share responsibility for what happened.
Dram shop laws exist to hold negligent alcohol providers accountable when their actions contribute to dangerous situations like this. A full investigation should determine where this driver was drinking and whether an establishment broke the law by continuing to serve them. Uncovering those details isn’t just about accountability: it’s about ensuring businesses follow the law so similar crashes don’t happen again.
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