Carlos Lopez Injured in Car Accident on Garland Ave in Garland, TX
Garland, TX — June 15, 2022, 65-year-old Carlos Lopez was injured in a single-vehicle accident on Garland Avenue in Garland.
According to reports the incident happened around 1:40 p.m. on Garland Ave (State Highway 78) near Devonshire Drive. Preliminary investigation suggests Lopez was driving a Pontiac G5 couple north on the roadway, following another vehicle.
The car ahead of him slowed in response to a disabled vehicle partly blocking the lane and Lopez swerved hard right to avoid it. He lost control and the car entered a side-skid, then hit a tree on the road's east side. It spun out after the impact, then hit another tree a short distance further north.
Lopez suffered serious injuries in the crash and was taken to an area hospital. Investigators suspected he was under the influence of alcohol and blood samples were collected for testing.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Carlos Lopez Accident on TX-78 in Garland
Folks are understandably concerned any time authorities mention that a driver may have caused or suffered harm due to alcohol. However, it's important to keep in mind that they're often just noting their suspicions, not clear and definitive facts. Evidence found through further investigation sometimes shows that something else entirely was to blame for a wreck.
If alcohol was a factor, though, that might mean a local bar illegally over-served the driver. If so, that negligent establishment could then be liable for the victim's injuries under dram shop law. That possibility is one reason why comprehensive investigations are so important. Getting people the help they need and deserve is one of the most critical aspects of the law, and Texas law understands that someone can make a mistake while still considering whether anyone else should be held accountable for the damage done.
I can't say if alcohol contributed to this crash or not, but I can say it's an important factor to consider. Of course, so are mechanical issues, medical conditions, road hazards, tire defects, missing signage or lighting, and many other possible contributing elements. Unfortunately, police aren't always as thorough as these situations require. If an accident like this isn't followed up on by experienced independent investigators, there's no telling if the whole truth will be uncovered.
