Teen Driver Injured in Single-Vehicle Crash on US-380 in Hunt County, TX
Hunt County, TX — August 1, 2022, a 16-year-old driver was seriously injured in a single-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 380 in Hunt County.
According to reports the incident happened around 5:55 a.m. on US-380 near FM 903. Preliminary investigation suggests the teen was driving a Buick Encore east when he failed to maintain control of the SUV, allegedly due to being under the influence of alcohol. The Buick ran off the road to the right, then hit a culvert and vaulted over a driveway. It landed on its front and then overturned, rolling several times before it came to rest upright.
The teen driver was seriously injured in the crash. Blood samples were collected for testing.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Solo Accident on US-380 in Hunt County
Any time alcohol comes up as a possibility it's concerning, but the idea that a teenager was under the influence is far more troubling. Not only should the teen never have had access to the alcohol for DWI, but it's also possible that a local business sold it too him directly. If so, that business is obviously in trouble for the sale; however, under Texas dram shop law it may also be liable for his injuries.
Dram shop law says that an alcohol provider who over-serves an obviously intoxicated person can be liable for damages resulting from that intoxication. Considering what kind of business would be reckless (or at least inept) enough to serve a 16-year-old, it's not a stretch to think they also wouldn't draw the line at over-serving him.
I'm not pointing any fingers at Hunt County businesses for illegal practices; the kid's beers could have come from anywhere. However, the possibility that somebody's playing fast and loose with service to minors can't be ignored. So will authorities look into what happened before this crash? The answer might show ways to help that young man get back on his feet and also shine some light on a local business that needs to clean up its act.
