Annette Braggs Killed in Single-Vehicle Accident on Mansfield St in Houston, TX
Houston, TX -- April 17, 2022, 63-year-old Annette Braggs was killed in a single-vehicle accident on Mansfield Street in Houston.
Authorities say the incident happened around 8:30 p.m. on Mansfield near Felecia Street. Preliminary investigation suggests Braggs was driving a Chevrolet Impala east on the roadway when she allegedly failed to maintain a single lane. The car veered off the road and crashed into the north ditch.
Braggs suffered fatal injuries in the wreck. Blood tests later indicated she had a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .128 at the time.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Annette Braggs Accident on Mansfield St in Houston
Police seem to have confirmed that the victim of this accident was past the legal limit for intoxication when it happened. Some may feel there's not much else to say about that because her tragic passing means she's beyond any legal consequences, but they may not realize there's more to investigate. Many drunk drivers have "accomplices" of sorts that too often escape any responsibility for their role in these crashes, and with that in mind police should also find out where the victim's alcohol came from.
Texas and many other states broaden the responsibility for DWI wrecks beyond the drivers to sometimes include the businesses that sold or served them drinks. If further investigations determine a licensed alcohol vendor over-served the driver prior to the accident, that business may be responsible for her death under dram shop law. It may then be expected to make whatever amends it could to the victim's family and anyone else hurt by its reckless over-service.
Dram shop law is a valuable but often-unknown tool to help people affected by DWI accidents. Moreover, it teaches negligent businesses that making a few more bucks is never worth the risk it poses to public safety. So will the authorities look into the possibility of a dram shop violation here, or would an independent investigation better ensure the victim's family gets the help and justice they deserve?
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