David Keohavong Killed in Hit-and-run Accident in Odessa, TX
Odessa, TX -- June 18, 2022, David Keohavong was killed due to an accident where a vehicle hit him, then left the scene.
Investigators reported that the accident took place at around 2:20 a.m. along Loop 338 near mile marker 284.
According to officials, 31-year-old David Keohavong was walking along the roadway at the time. Reports claim that Keohavong was intoxicated at the time. While in the road, a vehicle hit Keohavong and left the scene.
Keohavong succumbed to fatal injuries as a result of the crash. No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on David Keohavong Hit-and-run Accident in Odessa
Some people may look at police alleging the victim was intoxicated at the time and feel that's an unnecessary detail. There's a driver out there that needs to be identified and brought to answer for their involvement in this tragedy. Shouldn't that be where the focus is? I do agree with this generally, as identifying someone that left the scene of a deadly collision should be a top priority. But if it's true a victim in a crash like this was intoxicated, that could mean there's yet another outside party that needs to answer for their role in someone's death.
Let me explain why that is. A while back, a family came to me about their loved one who walked onto a freeway where a car hit and killed him. As we retraced the man's steps that night, we found he'd been at a local bowling alley where he became significantly intoxicated. The evidence showed that business illegally over-served the man while he was obviously intoxicated. As a result of that dangerous level of intoxication, he became disoriented while trying to walk home, ultimately causing the fatal collision.
So why does that matter? Well, in Texas, dram shop law says that an alcohol provider who over-serves an obviously intoxicated person can be liable for damages resulting from that intoxication. Whether it's a bar, liquor store, restaurant, or even a gas station, businesses that break the law and contribute to a fatal accident need to be held accountable for their actions just as someone who leaves the scene should be held accountable for theirs. The question, then, is if authorities are putting in the time and effort to ensure all those responsible for this man's tragic death answer for their role in the accident.
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