Demetrius Lovett Killed; Melissa Campbell, David Falconer Injured in San Antonio, TX Crash
UPDATE (July 20, 2022): Later reports identified the pedestrian injured in this accident as Demetrius Lovett; it is our sad duty to report that Mr. Lovett died of his injuries. The two sedan occupants seriously injured in the wreck were identified as driver David Falconer and passenger Melissa Campbell.
Reports indicate Falconer was found to be intoxicated at the time of the crash.
San Antonio, TX — June 11, 2022, three people were injured in a crash involving an 18-wheeler near the Hallmark Inn and Suites Hotel in San Antonio.
Authorities say the incident happened around 3:00 a.m. on the access road of I-35 near the hotel. Preliminary investigation suggests a big rig and a sedan collided under unknown circumstances. The two vehicles then ran off the road and hit a telephone pole, followed by a concrete wall around the premises of the Hallmark Hotel.
The 18-wheeler reportedly carried on a short distance further before its front end fell into the hotel's empty swimming pool.
A 39-year-old man walking in the area where the crash occurred was hit by the out-of-control vehicles and suffered critical injuries. Both of the sedan's occupants received serious but non-life-threatening injuries. All three victims were transported to area hospitals.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Demetrius Lovett Accident in San Antonio
Reports say the car's driver admitted to having several drinks at a nearby nightclub before the crash. Some may not see how that detail is particularly important since drunk driving is pretty much the same no matter where the "drunk" part comes from, but Texas dram shop law says otherwise.
Under dram shop law a licensed alcohol vendor like a bar or nightclub isn't allowed to sell or serve drinks to an obviously intoxicated customer. Put another way, if a bar's staff can or should be able to tell that their customer's past his limits, they are legally prohibited from refilling his glass. If they do so anyway, the law says they may be considered liable for any damage that customer causes or suffers while under the influence.
Dram shop law surprises many folks since they've seen bars happily over-serve people, but that behavior is dangerous for both the customers and the general public. A fine or warning from the TABC doesn't usually set them straight, so dram shop claims are a useful tool for teaching them to get their priorities in order. Moreover, it lets the people harmed by their negligence confront them and get help with the long and difficult road to recovery.
People are often inclined to place all the blame for DWI wrecks on the drunk drivers, and I'm certainly not arguing they shouldn't face consequences. However, dram shop law exists because everyone responsible for these terrible wrecks--including the businesses that illegally over-serve their customers before sending them on their way--should be held accountable. I don't know for a fact that the nightclub mentioned in reports did anything wrong and I'm not making accusations, but doesn't it seem like someone should at least look into that?
