One Killed, Two Injured in Single-Vehicle Accident on CR 245 in Williamson County, TX
Williamson County, TX — August 28, 2022, one person was killed and two were injured in a single-vehicle accident on County Road 245 in Williamson County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 12:25 a.m. on CR 245 near Rocky Hollow Creek Drive. Preliminary investigation suggests a GMC Sierra pickup was headed north on the roadway when the 37-year-old driver lost control in a curve for unconfirmed reasons. The pickup ran off the road and crashed into a nearby tree.
The Sierra's front passenger, 50, was pronounced dead at the scene. A rear passenger, 38, was seriously injured and the driver reportedly received minor injuries.
Investigators believed the driver was under the influence of alcohol and collected blood samples for testing.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Auto Accident on CR 245 in Williamson County
If blood tests confirm alcohol was involved here as police suggested, some may think that just means the suspected drunk driver will be charged accordingly. That's an important step, as intoxicated drivers put themselves and others in harm's way and should face serious consequences for that choice. However, while some may think the buck stops with the driver I--and the law--believe that everyone who had a hand in the damage should be held accountable. That's why it's important to talk about Texas dram shop law.
Under dram shop law, licensed alcohol providers who over-serve an obviously intoxicated person may be liable for injuries they cause or suffer while under the influence. A dram shop claim serves the twin purposes of getting badly-needed help for victims and families while also ensuring that a law-breaking business gets a harsh lesson about sorting its priorities out.
Not every alcohol-related accident involves a dram violation, so to be clear I'm not pointing fingers at any businesses in the Williamson County crash. The source of the drinks is just an important detail to learn during a full investigation. Unfortunately police rarely look into it, so seeking proof of a bar's involvement may require independent investigations. With the right help, many folks have held bad bars accountable for the damage they helped do.
