Driver Injured in Single-Vehicle Accident on FM 2438 in Guadalupe County, TX
Guadalupe County, TX — May 16, 2022, a 47-year-old man was seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash on FM 2438 in Guadalupe County.
According to reports the incident happened around 7:05 p.m. on FM 2438 near Interstate 10. Preliminary investigation suggests the victim was driving a Chevrolet Silverado south on the roadway at alleged unsafe speeds. He lost control in a curve and passed through the roadway, exiting to the west and crashing through a fence. On the property beyond the fence the truck crashed into several trees, then rolled over.
The driver was ejected during the rollover and suffered serious injuries. Investigators say he had a strong odor of alcohol on his person and they found several alcoholic beverages in and around the vehicle.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Solo Accident on FM 2438 in Guadalupe County
Authorities think alcohol could be a factor here, and I have no specific reason to doubt that--especially if they found alcohol at the scene. That said, however, it's still important not to jump to any conclusions before the investigation is complete. To be sure everything's accounted for, that investigation needs to look into the events preceding the crash. That's especially true if alcohol really was a factor.
The reason I say that is because a lot of DWI accidents are caused in part by negligent alcohol providers, such as bars and liquor stores, that illegally over-serve their customers. When they do that, dram shop law says they may be liable for any injuries their over-intoxicated customer suffers. Under dram shop law a negligent alcohol provider that sells or serves drinks to an obviously intoxicated customer may have a duty to help anyone the customer hurts, including himself.
Nothing says a dram violation happened before the Guadalupe County crash. The driver could have bought the alcohol while sober as a judge, then drank as he drove. Heck, he might not have had so much as a sip and just gotten splashed with alcohol as the truck rolled over. That's why I mean about not jumping to any conclusions before hard evidence is found. The same is true for dram violations, which typically need receipts, witness statements, security footage, and other clear proof to act on.
Despite the importance of putting a stop to negligent over-service, authorities don't do much against the places that do it. Any legal avenue that can get an injured person the help they need warrants consideration, though, and that's especially true if it can also ensure a negligent business is held accountable for breaking the law. If police won't help the victim moving forward, who will?
