Walter Naymola, Tiffany Barnaby, Others Injured in Beaumont, TX Car Accident
UPDATE (July 15, 2022): The seriously-injured Cadillac driver in this accident has been identified as 21-year-old Tiffany Barnaby. A 5-year-old girl in a Toyota RAV4 hit in the crash was also seriously injured. Several other people received possible injuries, while others were unhurt.
Beaumont, TX — June 22, 2022, injuries were reported when a suspected DWI driver crashed into several vehicles at a Beaumont intersection.
According to reports the incident happened around 12:45 p.m. at the crossing of Dowlen Road and Gladys Avenue. Preliminary investigation and witness statements suggest Walter "Loddie" Naymola was driving a Dodge Ram pickup north on Dowlen at alleged high speeds when he tried to bypass traffic by entering the left-turn-only lane at Gladys.
Once in the turn lane the Dodge rear-ended a Cadillac SRX and went airborne. The Cadillac was pushed through the intersection and hit two stopped vehicles on the southbound side of Dowlen, while Naymola crashed into another vehicle on landing. A sixth vehicle was hit by debris during the crash.
Responders took eight people including Naymola to area hospitals for treatment of unspecified injuries. All are expected to recover.
Naymola may face intoxication-related charges pending the results of toxicology tests. No charges have currently been filed.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Walter Naymola Accident in Beaumont
If evidence confirms alcohol was a factor here some may think that just means the offending driver will be charged accordingly and that's that. However, there might be other issues to address as well. For example, criminal consequences won't do much to help the people hurt in this crash deal with their recovery. One way to assist them with that would be to find out where the suspect's alcohol came from that day. But how does knowing that help?
Under Texas dram shop law, licensed alcohol providers who over-serve an obviously intoxicated person may be liable for damages he causes or suffers while under the influence. This measure helps injured crash victims (including the over-served drivers) seek help with the difficult and costly road to recovery; moreover, it makes sure a negligent bar, restaurant, or store faces consequences for its recklessness.
To be clear, alcohol is still a suspected factor unless clear proof (like blood test results) says otherwise. Even if its involvement is proven that doesn't necessarily mean a dram shop violation occurred, but it's an important point to clarify--both to help the victims and to make sure a law-breaking bar gets serious incentive to change its ways.
Unfortunately police don't spend much time looking into dram shop violations, so if one is suspected it's often better to work with independent investigators to get the needed proof. Armed with receipts, witness statements, video footage, and other evidence, many folks have successfully held bad bars accountable for the damage their negligent over-service led to.
