Kennon Mulhollan Killed in Single-Vehicle Accident on TX-46 in New Braunfels
New Braunfels, TX -- February 3, 2022, 69-year old Kennon Mulhollan was killed in a single-vehicle accident on State Highway 46 in New Braunfels.
Authorities say the incident happened Thursday afternoon on TX-46 South at River Tree Drive. Preliminary investigation suggests Mulhollan was driving the wrong way on the highway when he lost control and crashed into a nearby utility pole.
Mulhollan was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation continues but police say weather conditions do not appear to be a factor.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Kennon Mulhollan Accident on TX-46 in New Braunfels
With details like the ones in news reports (wrong-way driving, mysterious loss of control, crash into a stationary object) I have little doubt that folks will jump to all kinds of conclusions about what happened here. The most common guesses are likely to be distracted driving, fatigue, and/or intoxication. That last possibility is particularly concerning because a lot of fatal accidents happen after someone leaves a local business where they were served alcohol. Investigations could then show that the business illegally over-served the victim, possibly making it liable for its role in the crash under dram shop law.
Having said that, I want to be clear that I'm not saying I know alcohol was a factor. As important as it is to consider common factors like impairment, it's also important to consider less-likely factors as well. What are the chances that this crash involved a medical emergency, a sudden mechanical defect, unexpected tire failure, road hazards, or even brake failure? Pretty slim, but a man lost his life and his loved ones deserve to properly understand how that happened. Shouldn't investigators take every possible step to ensure the whole truth is found?
[jump]
