Darian Estrada Killed in Motorcycle Accident in Bee County, TX
UPDATE (May 10, 2023): Recent information from authorities allege that the Honda driver, still unidentified, tested at a .177 BAC following the wreck. There were recommended charges including Intoxication Manslaughter, but the status of those potential charges is unclear at this time.
Bee County, TX -- March 22, 2023, Darian Estrada was killed in a motorcycle accident at 4:00 a.m. outside of Skidman and Papalote.
Authorities said that the incident occurred along U.S. Highway 181 while 28-year-old Darian Tyler Estrada was on a southbound motorcycle. It appears there was an oncoming Honda Accord without its headlights on. That vehicle crashed into Darian Estrada, causing fatal injuries. The Honda driver had unspecified injuries.
In current reports, police say they believe the Honda driver was under the influence of alcohol. This has yet to be confirmed, but it wouldn't be all that surprising. A vehicle without headlights at 4:00 a.m. going into oncoming lanes is a lot to go wrong for a sober driver. It makes me wonder what the driver had been doing that night or earlier in the morning to get them to the point they didn't realize their headlights weren't on, let alone that they were on the wrong side of the road.
Could it be they had been drinking at a local establishment? Is there a business in the community serving people to the point they get on dark, rural highways going the wrong direction? Are other people in danger? Are authorities addressing the possibility that both the allegedly drunk driver and some other outside party are responsible for a young man's death? I can only hope authorities here take drunk driving as seriously as I've seen authorities take it here in DFW and in places like Harris County. That way, steps will be taken to ensure the victim's loved ones see accountability for the devastation they're suffering.
[jump]
