Woman Killed, 1 Injured in Alleged Hit-and-run Accident on Walton Walker in Dallas, TX
Dallas, TX -- July 16, 2022, a woman was killed and one was injured due to an accident where an allegedly intoxicated driver hit them.
Investigators reported that the crash took place at around midnight in the area of South Walton Walker Boulevard and Illinois Avenue in the Oak Cliff area.
According to officials, a woman and a man were along the side of the highway due to a disabled vehicle. While there, a vehicle reportedly driven by 33-year-old Jesus Espinoza went onto the shoulder and hit both victims. Espinoza allegedly then continued driving from the scene.
Due to the collision, the woman sustained fatal injuries. The man was injured in stable condition. Authorities say they arrested Espinoza. They allege he was intoxicated at the time, and they report pending charges of intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault, and failing to stop and render aid.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Alleged Hit-and-run Accident on Walton Walker in Dallas
These are just shocking details, and if the allegations here are true, then actions obviously must be taken to ensure there are consequences. Authorities seem to be taking steps in that direction. But even if the accused did do the things he's accused of doing, is that really the end of the story? I speak with families all the time involved in similar situations, and taking every possible step to ensure they're getting the full story is always a priority. Are those steps being taken here?
Here's one of the reasons I say that. Police allege that the driver involved here was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Was alcohol the suspected intoxicant? Late on a Saturday, a lot of serious accidents involve folks who were over-served by a local bar or restaurant, and those establishments can be liable for their role in a serious incident like this.
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. Shouldn't steps be taken to ensure those businesses are held accountable for breaking the law, especially if that can be a significant help to the victims and families?
Dram shop is just one possibility, of course, but it's something that authorities don't always handle on their own despite how often it comes up in DFW. It usually takes a professional experienced with confronting negligent alcohol providers asking the right questions to ensure folks are getting the whole story. Maybe nothing so complex led to this tragic event, but the devastation resulting from this accident warrant nothing less than every step to get the victims and families the answers they deserve.
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