Two Injured in Alleged Intoxicated Driver Accident on Elizabeth Rose Drive in Houston, TX
Houston, TX -- July 12, 2022, two people were injured due to an accident where an allegedly intoxicated driver hit them on Elizabeth Rose.
According to initial reports from Harris County officials, the crash happened at around 6:15 p.m. near along Elizabeth Rose Drive near Scarsdale Boulevard.
Officials said that two people were walking along the residential road at the time. While doing so, a vehicle struck them from behind, then allegedly left the scene.
The two victims had unspecified injuries due to the collision. Police identified the driver involved as 51-year-old Patrick Landry, whom they reportedly located not far from the accident scene. Authorities say Landry will face charges for failure to stop and render aid and driving while intoxicated. No further information is available.
Commentary on Alleged DWI Accident on Elizabeth Rose in Houston
It's certainly not my place to say if the allegations in these reports are true, serious as they are. But anytime the possibility of intoxicated driving comes up, it's important folks understand why that can be significant for the victims and families. Unlikely crashes involving sober drivers, such accidents can sometimes result in unique legal avenues to get folks help which may not otherwise be available to them.
For example, anytime alcohol contributes to a crash, it's important to find out where that alcohol came from. This is due to dram shop law, which says that an alcohol provider who over-serves an obviously intoxicated person can be liable for damages resulting from that intoxication. Whether that's a bar, liquor store, restaurant, or even a gas station, Houston residents should no doubt be on board with any legal tool that can get people help while also fighting back against the scourge of drunk driving that all Texans must contend with on a near daily basis.
Again, I can't say if anything like that happened here. It's unclear where this driver was going or where they had been, and it's not even clear if police think alcohol was a factor here (as opposed to drug usage). Again, my purpose here is not to throw blame around. It's to ensure folks have an understanding of the kinds of questions investigators need to be pursuing. If authorities aren't taking those steps, then it may be prudent to put the crash in the hands of professionals who can get a family the answers they deserve.
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