Upshur County, TX — December 5, 2025, Steven Ashmore and another person were injured in an alleged drunk driver accident at about 1:00 a.m. along S.H. 300.

According to authorities, 23-year-old Steven Ashmore was traveling in a southeast bound Toyota Corolla in a construction zone on S.H. 300 in the vicinity southeast of the Penguin Road intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that a collision occurred between the Corolla and a northwest bound Kia K5 occupied by a 22-year-old woman who had allegedly been under the influence at the time. Reports note that the fact that the construction zone was somehow related to the accident, though they are not explicit as to how.

Both Ashmore and the woman from the Kia 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 a crash like this—serious injuries, suspected intoxication, and a construction zone in the mix—it’s a reminder that drunk driving incidents don’t just happen out of nowhere. Even in complex situations where road conditions might play a role, we still have to ask a basic but important question: Was someone allowed to drive impaired when they clearly shouldn't have been?

According to reports, one of the drivers may have been under the influence at the time of the crash. If that’s true, the next question is where had she been drinking, and did someone continue to serve her despite clear signs of intoxication? That’s exactly the kind of situation Texas dram shop law is meant to address. If a bar or restaurant overserved her before she got behind the wheel and caused this crash, that establishment may bear part of the responsibility.

Construction zones are already high-risk areas, even without impairment involved. But when someone chooses—or is enabled—to drive impaired through one, the consequences can escalate quickly. For people like Steven Ashmore, who was seriously hurt, it’s not just about what happened in the moment. It’s also about whether someone along the way could have prevented it from happening at all.

Three key takeaways:

• Texas dram shop law allows for accountability when an alcohol provider overserves someone who is clearly intoxicated and they go on to cause harm.
• Crashes in construction zones involving suspected impairment should prompt questions about where the drinking occurred and whether overservice played a role.
• Injured individuals may have legal options beyond the driver, including the right to investigate whether an alcohol-serving business contributed to the crash.