Tanner Lagrone Injured in Gillespie County, TX Motorcycle Accident
Gillespie County, TX — June 18, 2022, 32-year-old Tanner Lagrone was injured in a motorcycle accident on U.S. Highway 290 in Gillespie County.
According to reports the incident happened around 12:40 p.m. on US-290 near mile marker 496. Preliminary investigation suggests Lagrone was riding a Yamaha motorcycle east in the outside lane of the highway when he lost control in a curve. The bike made contact with a guardrail, then left the road altogether a short distance further down the road and overturned.
Lagrone suffered serious injuries in the crash. When interviewed several days later, he told investigators he swerved to avoid an animal in the road. He also admitted to drinking alcohol prior to operating the motorcycle.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Tanner Lagrone Accident in Gillespie County
Given the suspect's reported confession of drinking it's not surprising that police think alcohol contributed to the wreck. They'd need something more definitive to know how much of a role it played, but reports say they subpoenaed the victim's treatment records to find out. Depending on what that paperwork shows he may face some legal consequences, but that's not for me to gossip about. Instead, it's better to consider how to help him get back on his feet.
If he impaired as police suspect then Texas dram shop law might be of help. Dram shop law broadens the responsibility for alcohol-related crashes beyond drunk drivers to the businesses that sold them alcohol. When bars or other licensed vendors sell or serve drinks to obviously intoxicated customers, the law says they may be liable for any injuries those customers cause or suffer while under the influence.
Not every DWI accident starts with a dram violation, but the source of the alcohol is an important detail to know one way or the other. So will the authorities find that out? Frankly, I doubt it. They don't often look for dram violations despite how important it is to put a stop to them.
Victims of drunk driving accidents, including the drivers, are usually better off with independent investigations to find the proof they need. With plenty of evidence in hand, many people have held law-breaking bars accountable for the damage they helped cause.
