4 Hospitalized Following Collision With 18-Year-Old Drunk Driver
A police chase involving a suspected drunk driver left four hospitalized after a collision on Sunday, September 3. Learn about how the crash happened and facts about drunk driving accidents in Texas from your McAllen car accident lawyers.
The Sunday Collision
Edinburg authorities say they arrested an 18-year-old man following a chase and collision on Sunday, September 3. Authorities suspect the driver was drunk at the time of the crash.
Police report that they observed a black GMC Sierra driving recklessly near the intersection of Jackson Road and Freddy Gonzalez Drive at around 4 a.m. on Sunday. Authorities attempted to stop the driver before they fled north on Jackson Road. At the intersection of Jackson Road and University Drive, the suspected drunk driver ran a red light, resulting in a collision.
The GMC collided with a white Nissan Rogue in the intersection. The Nissan was carrying three female passengers at the time of the collision, and all three were taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
At the scene, the GMC driver appeared intoxicated, so authorities initiated an arrest. The Edinburg PD says it received a blood search warrant for the driver and a specimen was taken for testing. The driver is also in the hospital recovering from his injuries and will face charges when he’s released from care.
How Common Are Underage Drunk Driving Accidents in Texas?
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), there were a total of 1,044 deadly drunk driving accidents in Texas in 2022. Of those accidents, more than 8% involved underage drunk drivers. In comparison, the largest group of deadly drunk drivers, 21- to 25-year-olds, makes up 19% of all deadly drunk driving accidents.
Including all crashes, underage drunk drivers were involved in 1,696 crashes in Texas last year, accounting for about 7% of all drunk driving crashes. This means that underage drivers make up slightly more than their fair share of all drunk driving fatalities, showing that underage drunk driving is slightly more dangerous compared to driving under the influence after the age of 21. While underage drunk driving actually isn’t that much more deadly than other forms of drunk driving, it’s still a serious issue.
Drunk driving at any age is already incredibly dangerous. In fact, you’re more than four times more likely to die in a drunk driving accident than the average Texas car accident: 4% of drunk driving crashes are fatal compared to less than 1% of all crashes.
If you’re a parent, talk to your children about the dangers of underage drinking, and let them know that you would prefer they call you for help rather than driving under the influence. Letting your child know you’re there for them could mean the difference between a safe ride home and a deadly accident.
If you’ve been injured in an underage drunk driving accident, a McAllen car accident lawyer can help you determine the right path forward.
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Source: ValleyCentral, KRGV
