McAllen area driver kills police dispatcher while impaired by multiple substances
Intoxicated drivers are a serious danger on the roads, and their driving tends to become even worse if they are under the influence of multiple substances.
The Hidalgo County Police apprehended a young man who is suspected of killing another person in a drunk driving accident near McAllen, Texas. He was under the influence of both alcohol and marijuana at the time of the accident.
Police dispatcher killed by young driver under the influence of marijuana and alcohol
The victim was a 29 year old female on her way to work at the county sheriff’s office where she worked as a dispatcher. The crash occurred at about 6 am, near the 4900 block of Expressway 281. According to the police affidavit, during the collision the suspect’s Chevrolet Avalanche truck broadsided the victim’s Buick SUV and pushed it into the concrete barrier between the traffic lanes.
The suspect fled the accident scene on foot, but was apprehended on East Owassa Road, just north of McAllen. His passenger also suffered from lung damage due to the crash. Police noticed that the suspect had slurred speech and smelled like alcohol and marijuana when they came into contact with him. He attempted to present a fraudulent permanent resident card as identification.
His bond remains at $700,000, as he was charged with numerous crimes including intoxication manslaughter, an accident involving death, assault while intoxicated, and fraudulent use of identification. The suspect is in negotiations with the local district attorney’s office and is expected to take a plea.
The rights of the victim’s family
Regardless of the fact that the suspect will likely take a plea for the criminal case, he can still be at fault in a civil lawsuit. This means he will have to pay the family for his negligence and the death of their daughter, regardless of what happens with his DUI charges from the state. A wrongful death lawsuit can be used to make the suspect pay for funeral expenses, medical costs and hospitalization, future lost wages, and the emotional pain and suffering caused by the accident. Texas, like every other state, has a special set of rules related to wrongful death cases. An attorney who practices in this area of the law can explain more and give specific help related to your accident.
The rules of lawsuits related to car accidents
Lawsuits against all drivers need to show they that acted carelessly or recklessly and caused injuries to others on the road. In the case of a drunk driving accident, some of the same information used by the police in their criminal investigation can be used by the plaintiff to show that the intoxicated driver was at fault for the accident. There are many local lawyers who specialize in personal injury cases related to motor vehicle accidents.
Talk to a local lawyer about a drunk driving incident
To get assistance from an attorney after a drunk driving accident and learn about filing a lawsuit, contact the Tijerina Law Firm, PC. The firm assists clients in McAllen and nearby parts of Texas with a number of legal issues.
