Charles Young Killed in Crossover Accident on Front St in Midland, TX
Midland, TX — June 19, 2022, 41-year-old Charles Young was killed and two people were injured in a crossover accident on Front Street in Midland.
According to reports the incident happened around 5:45 p.m. on Front Street near Bankhead Highway. Preliminary investigation suggests a vehicle of unknown make or model was towing a trailer east on Front Street in the inside lane as Young was driving a Ford Ranger pickup west on the other side of the road.
Reports say Young was speeding and failed to maintain his lane, instead swerving through the center turn lane and into the oncoming lane. The Ford then crashed with the eastbound vehicle. After the impact the struck vehicle caught fire and swerved into a nearby fence.
Young suffered fatal injuries in the wreck. Both occupants of the other vehicle reportedly received minor injuries.
The crash remains under investigation. No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Charles Young Accident in Midland
Reports say police suspected the crossover driver of being intoxicated at the time. Blood tests later showed he had a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .256, over three times the legal limit, at the time of the collision. I say that with no judgment, but evidence that he was significantly over the legal limit for intoxication may change how the accident should be investigated.
Alcohol-related crashes in Texas and many other states sometimes involve holding the businesses that served it responsible for the damage their intoxicated patrons caused or suffered. Under dram shop law any business that continued serving the Midland victim if he was obviously intoxicated may have a legal obligation to help his family and the people in the other vehicle get back on their feet.
Not every DWI crash involves a dram violation, but the possibility that a local bar or other alcohol-serving business willingly helped a man more than triple the legal limit bears careful investigation. Not only should it be made to help the people affected by its recklessness, but holding it responsible would help ensure it can't endanger the community any further.
Of course, before any business could be held accountable the victim's family would have to prove it over-served him. Police reports aren't very helpful in getting the needed proof of that, so it's usually best for victims to get help from independent investigators. Armed with the evidence they uncover, many people hurt by reckless over-service have held bad businesses accountable for breaking the law and contributing to their injuries.
