Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is a serious offense in Texas. If a driver is over the legal limit, there is a higher chance that a crash that injures innocent people will occur. When a driver is convicted of DUI in criminal court, the penalties and punishments are meant to deter a driver from committing a similar offense in the future, but unfortunately, some people do reoffend, and when they do, the results can be deadly.
Recently a Texas man with three prior DUI convictions caused a car accident that killed a young woman riding as a passenger in another vehicle. The man was allegedly once again under the influence as he crashed into the victim’s vehicle, injuring the driver and killing the passenger. The man apparently attempted to flee the scene on foot, but law enforcement was able to apprehend him almost immediately.
Since this is certainly not the first time the man decided to take to the road while under the influence, he now faces serious criminal charges, including murder. According to reports, the man was still on probation for a previous DUI when he caused the accident that injured one and killed another. The man’s history of DUI offenses may leave the victim’s family particularly upset.
When car accidents are caused by a person under the influence, especially if the person is a repeat offender, victims or their families may want to take legal action separate from the criminal case. A civil case may be appropriate, and a compassionate Texas attorney can help a client through each step of the legal process. Sometimes, a civil case can result in a verdict that includes monetary compensation that the plaintiff can use to offset accident-related costs like medical bills and final expenses, which may otherwise fall upon a victim’s estate.