Mario Alberto Baez Jr. Killed in Alleged Intoxicated Driver Accident in Laredo, TX
Laredo, TX -- April 2, 2022, Mario Alberto Baez Jr. was killed due to an accident where an allegedly intoxicated driver crashed with Baez.
Investigators said that the incident happened at around 7:00 a.m. on Bob Bullock Loop near International Boulevard.
According to officials, 31-year-old Mario Alberto Baez Jr. was in a vehicle traveling along the loop. While doing so, a Volkswagen went across the center dividers and crashed into Baez's vehicle.
As a result of the collision, Baez succumbed to fatal injuries. As of May 26, authorities say that the other driver, whom they identified as 28-year-old Esteban Ezequiel Deleon, faces a charge for intoxication manslaughter.
Commentary on Mario Alberto Baez Jr. Alleged Intoxicated Driver Accident in Laredo
If the allegations here are true, it's a positive step forward to see authorities making an effort to hold someone accountable for their actions. However, steps should also be taken to ensure that all responsible parties are being held accountable. With intoxicated drivers, as is allegedly the case here, there is often a local alcohol provider also to hold accountable for a deadly accident.
This is due to dram shop law, which says that an alcohol provider who over-serves an obviously intoxicated person can be liable for damages resulting from that intoxication. Whether that's a bar, liquor store, grocery store, or even a restaurant, businesses breaking the law and contributing to a fatal accident need to face the appropriate consequences.
What's particularly concerning here is the timing of the crash. At 7:00 a.m., it's unlikely someone would be coming from a location they just purchased alcohol. It's even possible the intoxicants allegedly involved here weren't alcohol at all. But if it was alcohol, there are times where someone goes out drinking for the night, goes home, sleeps for a few hours, then gets up to go to work while they're still too drunk to drive. Incidents like that almost guarantee the business involved illegally over-served the driver. Is that something the authorities considered here, or will there need to be more thorough independent investigations?
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