Joe Hudson Injured in Single-Vehicle Accident on Rodgers Ranch Rd in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX -- March 31, 2022, 57-year-old Joe Hudson was injured in a single-vehicle accident on Rodgers Ranch Road in San Antonio.
Authorities say the incident happened around 12:30 a.m. on Rodgers Ranch Road near Rodgers Place. Preliminary investigation suggests Hudson was driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck north on Rodgers Ranch when he entered a roundabout but continued driving straight. The pickup ran off the roundabout to the north and crashed into a dirt embankment. According to reports no airbags deployed during the crash as the pickup's dashboard was open as though under maintenance.
Hudson suffered serious injuries in the crash. When asked how the wreck occurred he reportedly told police he drove over the line while intoxicated. Investigators collected blood samples for testing.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Joe Hudson Accident in Arlington
Given the circumstances of this crash and the driver's reported confession of drinking beforehand, it seems reasonable that intoxication is considered a significant factor. Blood tests should offer some insight into how much of a role it played, and depending on what they reveal the victim may face some legal consequences for his choices that night. That isn't really something for me to remark upon, as it's mostly between him and the courts.
Some might consider that essentially the end of the matter, but after alcohol-related crashes Texas law looks beyond the drivers and also considers the businesses that sold them their drinks. Dram shop laws are designed to hold alcohol providers accountable for negligent over-service, meaning instances where they continue to sell or serve alcohol to obviously intoxicated customers. If they do so, they may then be liable for any injuries those customers go on to cause or suffer while excessively impaired.
Not every DWI accident involves a dram shop violation. For instance, if the suspect drank at home first or bought alcohol while sober and then drank it on the road, it's not likely that a business could be held liable for his injuries. Even if that's ultimately found to be the case, though, it's worth knowing for sure one way or the other any time alcohol consumption may be a direct factor in an accident.
So will the authorities learn where the drinks were consumed? Unfortunately I doubt they'll put a lot of effort into it. Police don't often check into possible dram shop violations despite how important it is to identify and stop that reckless behavior. Victims of drunk driving accidents, even the injured drivers themselves, are often best served by independent investigations to get the evidence needed to hold such a negligent business responsible.
[jump]
