Emily Mae Echols Killed, Levi Frazier Injured in Alleged Intoxicated Driver Accident in Paris, TX
Paris, TX — November 9, 2023, Emily Mae Echols was killed and Levi Frazier was injured following an alleged drunk driver accident on SW Loop 286.
Preliminary statements provided in the news indicate the crash occurred in the 1200 block of SW Loop 286 just before 6:00 p.m.
According to current news reports, 31-year-old Emily Mae Echols and her husband—reportedly identified in the news by family as 29-year-old Levi Dalton Frazier—were in a vehicle that was going along the highway at the time. Apparently, a driver rear-ended Echols and Frazier, pushing their vehicle into oncoming lanes where it was hit by a semi-truck.
Due to the collision, Echols succumbed to her injuries. At the time of writing, Frazier is said to be in critical condition. No other injuries were reported. At this time, the driver that hit their vehicles is reportedly facing charges for intoxication manslaughter intoxication assault. Authorities have yet to release additional details about the crash, including whether or not they're investigating where the alleged drunk driver may have purchased their alcohol.
Put simply, the fact this crash didn't happen late at night or early in the morning when drunk drivers are usually on their way home from a bar doesn't mean authorities can just overlook the possibility there's an accomplice to this woman's death. Not that long ago, for example, I was handling a case against a bar that over-served a driver just after he got off work.
In that story, a man went with some co-workers to a local bar doing a happy hour. Over just a couple of hours, the bar over-served him will beyond the point of obvious intoxication, then sent him on his way. The man ended up driving into oncoming traffic, hitting a family in their vehicle, and nearly killing a young kid.
It wasn't even dark out, and that bar ended up facing consequences for breaking the law and contributing to a serious drunk driving wreck. That's why I hope authorities here have similar examples in their head so they know that their investigations can't end simply because they put a driver in cuffs. Those affected by this crash deserve to know they're getting the whole story.
