Passenger Thrown from Vehicle in DWI Crash on the North Side

A woman was ejected from a pickup truck after a suspected drunk driver crashed into a construction vehicle on San Antonio’s North Side, according to a report from KSAT News.¹

Police say the crash occurred at approximately 1:05 a.m. on Monday, December 12, in the westbound lanes of Loop 1604 near Northwest Military Highway and Bitters Road. A driver and one passenger were traveling westbound in a black pickup truck when they struck the rear of an arrow truck in a construction zone.

The impact caused the pickup to spin, ejecting the female passenger from the vehicle.

Both the driver and the passenger were transported to the hospital in stable condition. Police reported the driver was intoxicated and may face intoxication assault charges, depending on the extent of the passenger’s injuries.

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Did You Know?

In Texas in 2024, DUI-related crashes were most likely to occur on Sundays between 2:00 a.m. and 2:59 a.m., according to data from the Texas Department of Transportation.

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Why Vehicle Ejection Is More Common in DUI Crashes

Being thrown from a vehicle is one of the most dangerous outcomes of any crash. Ejection dramatically increases the risk of severe injury or death, and it occurs more frequently in DUI-related accidents.

Alcohol-impaired driving creates a perfect storm of conditions that make violent crashes—and ejections—more likely.

How Alcohol Increases the Risk of Ejection

Alcohol affects judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Drivers under the influence are more likely to:

• Speed or drive too fast for conditions

• Fail to brake in time for stopped vehicles

• Drift between lanes or miss hazards ahead

• Overcorrect or lose control during sudden maneuvers

These behaviors often lead to high-speed impacts, rollovers, or secondary collisions, all of which significantly increase the likelihood of a passenger being ejected from the vehicle.

Seat Belts and DUI Crashes

One of the biggest risk factors for ejection is not wearing a seat belt. Studies consistently show that unbelted occupants are far more likely to be thrown from a vehicle during a crash.

In DUI crashes, seat belt use tends to be lower. Intoxicated drivers and passengers may forget to buckle up—or may remove seat belts mid-drive due to impaired judgment.

Seat belts are designed to:

• Keep occupants inside the vehicle

• Reduce the force of impact on the body

• Prevent contact with the windshield or roadway

Without a seat belt, the force of a collision can eject a passenger in a matter of seconds.

Why Passengers Face Serious Risk in DUI Accidents

Passengers injured in drunk driving crashes are often victims of someone else’s reckless decision. They typically have little to no control over what happens once a crash occurs.

Common injuries in ejection-related DUI crashes include:

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Spinal cord injuries or paralysis

• Broken bones and internal organ damage

• Road rash and severe soft tissue injuries

These injuries frequently require emergency surgery, long hospital stays, and extensive rehabilitation.

Construction Zones Add to the Danger

Crashes involving construction vehicles—such as arrow trucks—are especially dangerous. These vehicles are often stopped or moving slowly, and collisions at highway speeds can be extremely violent.

DUI crashes in construction zones put passengers, drivers, and road workers at risk. Workers in these areas have little protection when a vehicle strikes construction equipment.

What to Do If You’re Injured as a Passenger in a DUI Crash

If you were injured as a passenger, your health should come first. Even injuries that seem minor at first can worsen over time.

Important steps include:

• Seeking medical care immediately

• Following all treatment recommendations

• Documenting your injuries and how the crash occurred

• Obtaining a copy of the police report

• Avoiding discussions with insurance companies before getting legal advice

Passengers may have the right to file a claim against the drunk driver or other responsible parties.

Legal Options After a DUI Crash

Texas takes drunk driving seriously. While intoxicated drivers may face criminal charges, injured passengers may also have the right to pursue a personal injury claim for damages such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Even if a passenger knew the driver had been drinking, Texas law may still allow compensation depending on the circumstances. Factors such as seat belt use, driver conduct, and injury severity all matter.

Getting clear information early can help protect your rights.

Injured as a Passenger in a DUI Crash? Call Shaw.

If you were injured as a passenger in a drunk driving accident, you could be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills and hospital care

• Pain, suffering, and long-term injuries

• Lost wages or future medical treatment

And more.

We’ll help you find out for free.

Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to speak with an experienced Texas DUI injury lawyer about your legal options—no fees, no obligations.

We look forward to serving you.

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¹KSAT Report

²TxDOT Crash Facts 2024