David Bocanegra, Virginia Lazo Killed in Wrong-Way Crash on TX-225 in Pasadena
Pasadena, TX — May 28, 2022, two people were killed and two others were injured in a collision with a wrong-way driver on State Highway 225 in Pasadena.
Preliminary reports say the incident happened around 1:40 a.m. on TX-225 near Scarborough Lane. According to investigators 17-year-old David Bocanegra was riding west in a Mitsubishi Lancer with two friends when they collided with an eastbound Hyundai Tucson traveling the wrong direction in their lane.
The Hyundai driver, later identified as 30-year-old Virginia Lazo, died at the scene. Bocanegra and his friends were taken to an area hospital where Bocanegra was pronounced dead. The other two teens were injured but stable.
The investigation continues as police try to determine whether Lazo might have been intoxicated.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on David Bocanegra, Virginia Lazo Accident on TX-225 in Pasadena
Any crash involving a wrong-way driver is almost certain to quickly raise some big red flags. Particularly for accidents happening near 2:00 a.m., it's unfortunately quite common for alcohol to be their cause. It's small wonder investigators mentioned looking into that possibility in Pasadena.
One of the reasons that suspicion is so important to consider is because wrong-way drivers on highways aren't usually just tipsy--they're dangerously intoxicated. I don't say that to speak ill of the woman who sadly lost her life in Pasadena, but it's possible another party was involved and their recklessness was key in two lost lives on the highway.
If officials find out impairment was significant factor here, they should find out where the wrong-way driver's alcohol came from. Texas dram shop law says that an alcohol provider who over-serves an obviously intoxicated person may be liable for damages resulting from that intoxication.
The lengths to which some businesses go to break the rules and make a sale is just infuriating. I've even investigated establishments which literally served someone until they died of alcohol poisoning in the parking lot. Making sure those businesses are held accountable is in some ways just as important as ensuring they directly help the victims of their negligence. Dram shop is a way to achieve both.
So if it's so important, will police look into a possible dram violation behind this crash? Little as I like saying this, maybe not. Police often have their hands full with other priorities and don't chase down negligent businesses no matter how much damage they do. It's often better for independent professionals to work on victims' and families' behalf to find the needed evidence.
