Antoinetta Burdett-Sutton Injured by Alleged DWI Driver off I-35 in New Braunfels, TX
New Braunfels, TX -- December 13, 2021, 53-year-old Antoinetta Burdett-Sutton was injured in a crash with an alleged DWI driver off Interstate 35 in New Braunfels.
Authorities say the incident happened around 9:05 p.m. on the I-35 frontage road at South Mesquite Avenue. Preliminary investigation suggests a 32-year-old man was driving Nissan Armada northeast along the frontage road when he reportedly failed to control his speed and crashed into the back of a Hyundai Elantra driven by Burdett-Sutton.
After the impact the Nissan spun out and hit a street lamp in the median. Burdett-Sutton lost control and drove off the roadway to the right , rolling down an embankment and crashing into a pole near a Wal-Mart parking lot.
Burdett-Sutton suffered serious injuries in the crash. The Nissan driver received possible injuries.
Police suspected the Nissan driver of being intoxicated and collected blood samples for testing.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Antoinetta Burdett-Sutton Accident off I-35 in New Braunfels
Authorities seem to think impairment by alcohol was a factor in this wreck, to the point of flatly stating the suspect was intoxicated. I have no reason to doubt them, though as always I would have to see clear proof before I'm willing to set aside the search for other explanations. However, if alcohol is confirmed as a factor then there may be other issues that need closer scrutiny as well.
One thing that doesn't always get the attention it deserves is learning where the suspect's alcohol came from. Some may not see how that detail is particularly important, but under Texas dram shop law any business that sold or served an excess of alcohol to the allegedly-intoxicated driver might then be responsible for the damage he caused. In other words a bar, restaurant, club, or store that provided drinks to the at-fault driver--even when they could tell they shouldn't--might then be expected to help anyone injured while he was drunk.
Not every DWI crash involves a dram shop violation, and right now there's no telling if any businesses should be held accountable here. The possibility simply needs proper attention any time alcohol consumption and injury may be connected. Will the authorities make the effort to look into it, or is justice more likely to be served by an independent investigation?
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