On July 4, a six-vehicle accident on Texas 80 just outside of San Marcos left one person dead and injured nine others who were involved. According to authorities, the fatal accident may have been caused by an intoxicated driver.
According to the preliminary investigation, the chain-reaction collision happened when a 20-year-old resident of Kyle operating a Dodge Neon rear-ended a Nissan Altima at an intersection as the driver, a 25-year-old man from Woodlands, was about to make a left-hand turn towards Country Road 101. The force of the crash reportedly pushed the Altima into the opposite lane and into the path of an oncoming vehicle and a truck. A Department of Public Safety vehicle was also hit in the multi-vehicle accident. A sixth car was also damaged when debris from the wreck hit it.
First responders transported the 25-year-old driver of the Altima to Central Texas Medical Center in San Marcos, where he succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead shortly before 2 p.m. by medical personnel. Nine other individuals involved were also taken to a hospital, six of whom were released after being evaluated. Included among the injured was the Neon driver, who was airlifted to Brackenridge Hospital. The individuals who remained hospitalized at Brackenridge were a 29-year-old man and a 22-year-old man, both passengers in the Altima. It was reported that they were being treated for major injuries and were listed in serious condition. The Neon driver faces intoxication manslaughter charges and remains under police investigation, reports say.
This particular news release shows the potential impact that often results from drunk-driving car accidents. People who have lost a loved one due to a car crash that was caused by an intoxicated driver might be eligible to hold the driver liable for their accident-related losses through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Source: Statesman, “One dead, nine injured after six-vehicle wreck near San Marcos”, Andrew McLemore, July 05, 2014