Summer Chester Killed in Hit-and-Run on Greens Rd in Houston, TX
Houston, TX -- January 25, 2022, 23-year-old Summer Chester was killed by an alleged hit-and-run driver on Greens Road in Houston.
Authorities say the incident happened Tuesday at Greens Road and the North Freeway feeder road. Preliminary investigation suggests 20-year-old Jonathan Vera was driving on the feeder road when he allegedly ran a red light and crashed into Chester's vehicle. The impact sent her car onto a nearby sidewalk where it overturned.
Chester suffered fatal injuries in the collision. No other injuries were reported.
Vera and his passengers reportedly fled the scene on foot. Vera was apprehended later that night and charged with manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Summer Chester Accident on Greens Road in Houston
If the allegations here are true, then it's at least reassuring to see someone will answer for actions which just about everyone will agree are unacceptable. However, it's important to consider whether or not there's anything else to the story.
For instance, it seems the at-fault driver ran away from this accident scene. Why would someone do that? Some might point to him being out on bond for a separate and very serious charge and possibly not wanting to be identified in a second crime. That's quite possible, but it's important not to assume it was the case. Instead, investigators should also consider any other potential reasons he and his passengers might have fled.
Another reason many hit-and-run drivers leave the scene is because they were intoxicated. Drunk driving and hit-and-run accident are both unfortunately common in Houston and often go hand-in-hand. Moreover, both types of accidents often occur after a bar or other alcohol vendor over-served the person who caused them. If a business provide excessive quantities of alcohol to the hit-and-run driver in the tragic collision above, that business may be liable for its role in the crash under dram shop law. In that event the law would hold the bar accountable for its negligence and it might be required to make whatever amends it could to the victim's family.
With all that said, I want to be clear that alcohol is only a possibility and I'm not making any accusations. Intoxication isn't mentioned in reports and I don't know anything other than what they say. I bring up impairment because I've seen too many victims of drunk drivers who never knew they had rights or options of that nature, and instead fought the long difficult battles of recovery alone. If a negligent business was at all responsible for the tragedy on Greens Street, it's important to hold it accountable and ensure the victim's loved ones receive any help to which they are entitled.
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