Despite all the education that is out there about not drinking and driving, so many people still choose to do it, believing they are fine and nothing will happen to them. It is this attitude that has resulted in lost lives and serious injuries to countless others. Recently, an alleged drunk driving accident in Texas resulted in the fatalities of two people and left several others with life-altering injuries.
The accident occurred the end of December in Austin when the alleged drunk driver, a 21-year-old male from out-of-state, was apparently going between 80 and 100 mph when he collided with another vehicle. The force of the collision pushed the car into oncoming traffic and hit a second vehicle head-on. The driver and passenger of the first car hit, a 60-year-old female and her 18-year-old son, were killed in the crash. Another passenger from the first car and three passengers from the second car were transported to the hospital for the treatment of broken bone injuries, including a broken back and/or neck for some of the victims.
The driver responsible for this incident apparently ran from the scene but was caught shortly after. He refused field sobriety tests, but blood work taken at the hospital apparently showed and elevation in his blood alcohol levels. He was arrested and is being held on $185,000 bond in Texas. He has 19 felony charges against him including but not limited to manslaughter, intoxication assault and failure to stop.
A drunk driving accident can seriously alter the course of the lives it affects. A family has lost a mother and wife, along with a son; and others are left recovering from catastrophic injuries. The driver responsible for this accident, along with the criminal charges he is already facing, may also be faced with both wrongful death claims and personal injury claims from the victims and their families. If found liable, a Texas civil court could award financial compensation to those affected by this tragic event, to give some monetary relief for the financial losses they may have endured as a result.
Source: blog.al.com, Alabama student arrested on intoxicated manslaughter charges for deadly Texas car crash, Melissa Brown, Dec. 31, 2013