Micayla Redman Injured in Auto Accident on I-20 in Sweetwater, TX
Sweetwater, TX — November 11, 2022, 30-year-old Micayla Redman was seriously injured in a traffic accident on Interstate 20 in Nolan County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 11:40 p.m. on I-20 near mile marker 248. Preliminary investigation suggests Redman was driving a Jeep Wrangler west on the highway behind a Nissan Frontier pickup. According to reports she started to pass the Nissan on the left but lost control and veered right. The Jeep swerved into the concrete median barrier, then veered left through the lanes into the outside barrier. It went right a final time, hit a traffic sign pole, then came to rest against a concrete embankment.
Redman suffered serious injuries in the wreck. Investigators alleged she was under the influence of alcohol and possible medications and may also have been using her phone when she lost control.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Micayla Redman Accident in Sweetwater
To be clear, I can't speak to whether officers' suspicions about intoxication have any merit here. They can say the victim swerved off-course, but until there's clear evidence (like blood test results) to say one way or the other it's best to reserve judgment. If it turns out investigators are right about alcohol's involvement, however, then there may be more to look into.
Under Texas dram shop law, licensed alcohol providers who over-serve an obviously intoxicated person may be liable for injuries she causes--even to herself--while under the influence. The law is an important tool for appropriately punishing bars that endanger their customers and the public, and it also provides the people hurt by reckless over-service a way to seek much-needed help getting back on their feet.
I'm not accusing any particular Sweetwater business of over-service, but did authorities even look into the possibility? Unfortunately, my guess would be no. Police rarely look into dram violations, content instead to catch and charge their intoxicated customers. If an alcohol vendor had a hand in the victim's injuries, proving that may require efforts above and beyond those of law enforcement.
