Skyler Doyle Coburn, 1 Injured in Alleged DWI Accident in Baytown, TX
Baytown, TX -- August 22, 2021, Skyler Doyle Coburn and another person were injured following an accident which police say involved alcohol.
Investigators reported that the accident took place at around 2:00 a.m. along Alexander Drive at Lanier Drive.
Officials said that 22-year-old Skyler Doyle Coburn was in a Chevy 1500 traveling southbound on Alexander. At Lanier, authorities say that Coburn failed to yield and crashed into an eastbound Ford Mustang.
The Mustang driver, a 21-year-old woman, had incapacitating injuries in the crash. Coburn had reportedly non-incapacitating injuries. Police allege that Coburn had been drinking and charged him for DWI. Reports give no additional details.
Commentary on Skyler Doyle Coburn Alleged DWI Accident in Baytown
To be clear up front, I'm not here to discuss the allegations against the driver accused of being intoxicated here. That's not my place, and there are other important possible factors to address which focus more on how people can get the help they need.
Anytime alcohol contributes to a crash, it's important to find out where the alcohol came from. Texas Dram Shop Law says that an alcohol provider who over-serves an obviously intoxicated person can be liable for damages resulting from that intoxication. If a bar over-serves someone knowing they're a danger to themselves and others, why should they just continue business as usual as though they did nothing wrong while one person faces prison time and another is left to foot the bill for serious injuries?
Dram shop can address both of these issues, which is why reports like this aren't nearly as straight-forward as people may think. Maybe Dram Shop isn't a factor here, but if it could get people the help they need, it's something worth looking into.
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