Two Injured by Alleged DWI Driver on Mistletoe Ave in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX -- May 26, 2022, two people were seriously injured when an alleged DWI driver crashed into their vehicle along West Mistletoe Avenue in north San Antonio.
Authorities say the incident happened around 11:00 p.m. along West Mistletoe near San Pedro Avenue. Preliminary investigation suggests only that the victims were sitting in the front seat of a car when an SUV crashed into the back of the vehicle. The impact then pushed the car into a nearby truck.
Both occupants of the car were taken to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The SUV driver was reportedly charged with DWI.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Alleged DWI Accident on Mistletoe Ave in San Antonio
A mistake I often see after these accidents is believing there's nothing else to say about them. Someone hurt the victims while allegedly intoxicated and they now face charges, so what else is there to know? To make sure the victims get the help they deserve, potentially quite a bit.
For instance, one detail that too often goes overlooked after a DWI driver hurts someone is where their alcohol came from. Some probably don't see why that matters, but it's more important than it seems. If the driver was over-served alcohol by a local alcohol vendor, that business may have a legal duty to help the victims get back on their feet.
Texas dram shop law or can often help in a situation like this. In a nutshell, dram shop law prohibits licensed alcohol vendors (bars, restaurants, liquor and convenience stores, etc) from selling or serving drinks to obviously intoxicated customers. If they do so illegally and their customers cause or suffer injuries while under the influence, the business that provided too much to drink may be liable for the harm done.
I'm not saying I know a dram violation happened here, but did police even consider it? Little as I like saying this, probably not. Law enforcement doesn't spend much time tracking down reckless over-service, content just to catch and punish the over-served drivers. That's why dram shop matters are most often dealt with by independent investigators. Their careful attention to detail could be a step toward getting the victims the help and justice they deserve.
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