Ector County, TX — December 25, 2025, William Trantham lost his life in an alleged drunk driver accident shortly after 11:15 p.m. along Moss Avenue.

According to authorities, 76-year-old William Trantham was traveling in a northbound Ford Maverick pickup truck on Moss Avenue at the intersection with the I-20 westbound service road when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that a westbound Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck—driven by a man who was allegedly under the influence at the time—entered the intersection at an unsafe time, failing to yield the right of way at a stop sign. A collision consequently occurred between the front-end of the Silverado and the truck and the right side of the Maverick.

Trantham—who had reportedly sustained fatal injuries over the course of the accident—was declared deceased at the scene. 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 see reports like this one out of Ector County, especially involving a crash on Christmas night, I can’t help but think about how little we usually hear beyond the surface. A man lost his life, and an allegedly impaired driver is at the center of it—but for those trying to make sense of what happened, the story often stops there. What’s far less visible is the broader chain of events that might have led up to the wreck—and whether someone else had a hand in allowing it to unfold.

If the reports are accurate and the driver who caused this crash was under the influence, that raises a critical and under-asked question: Where did they get their alcohol? Texas law recognizes that in some cases, the person who caused the crash may not be the only one responsible. When a bar, restaurant, or other alcohol provider serves someone who is obviously intoxicated—and that person goes on to hurt someone—our state’s dram shop laws allow the victim’s family to hold that provider accountable. It’s not about pointing fingers—it’s about understanding whether the harm could have been prevented.

That possibility matters because people rarely connect the dots between alcohol service and late-night crashes like this one. Did someone serve the driver after it was clear they were already impaired? Was there a missed opportunity to stop this from happening before it ever reached the intersection? These aren’t easy questions—but they’re the kind that dram shop law is built to answer.

Ultimately, stories like this are a sobering reminder that accountability can stretch beyond the driver’s seat. When alcohol plays a role in a crash, it's not just about what happened in the moment—it’s also about what happened before, and whether someone in a position to prevent the harm failed to do so.

Here are three important takeaways to keep in mind:

1. Texas dram shop law holds alcohol providers accountable when they overserve a clearly intoxicated person who goes on to cause harm.
2. In cases involving suspected drunk driving, it’s important to ask whether the driver had been drinking at a licensed establishment beforehand.
3. Families affected by these incidents often have legal options they may not know about—options that can uncover answers and accountability beyond the driver alone.