Texas Accident & Injury News
Drunk driving doesn’t always happen at night.
Suspected Drunk Driver Rear-Ends Family SUV in Fatal Castroville Crash
According to a News4SanAntonio report, a woman is dead and another is detained after a suspected drunk driving accident Monday morning.¹
Police reported the accident happened at around 6:59 a.m. Monday, July 6th, in the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 90 East at Tondre Parkway in Castroville.
Officers arrived within minutes and determined that a woman driving a black Chevrolet Camaro rear-ended a GMC Yukon carrying a family of four. A passenger in the Yukon, 70-year-old Armandina De Ledezma, was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger suffered serious injuries and was transported to the hospital.
Investigators believe intoxicants may have been a contributing factor. The driver is being detained pending the results of toxicology testing.
Did You Know?
1,053 people were killed in crashes involving at least one intoxicated driver across Texas in 2024, according to TxDOT crash data.²
When Are You Most Likely to Encounter a Drunk Driver?
Most people picture drunk driving accidents happening after midnight, when bars close and people head home from parties. While those hours are certainly dangerous, they don’t tell the whole story.
Alcohol-related crashes happen throughout the day, including during the morning commute. Some drivers are still impaired from drinking the night before, while others may have continued drinking into the early morning hours before getting behind the wheel.
The takeaway is simple: impaired drivers can be on the road at any time.
The Most Dangerous Times to Be Driving
Although no time of day is completely free from risk, crash data consistently shows that alcohol-related accidents become more common during certain periods.
Drivers should be especially alert:
- Late Friday and Saturday nights
- Holiday weekends
- Around major sporting events and festivals
- Between midnight and 3 a.m.
- Early morning hours following overnight celebrations
That doesn’t mean you’re safe during the rest of the day. Morning crashes like this one serve as a reminder that impaired drivers don’t simply disappear after sunrise.
Why Drunk Drivers Think They’re Safe to Drive
One of alcohol’s most dangerous effects is that it impairs judgment before many people realize they’re impaired.
A person who has been drinking may honestly believe they’re capable of driving safely because alcohol affects the very part of the brain responsible for making good decisions.
As blood alcohol levels rise, drivers often experience:
- Slower reaction times
- Reduced coordination
- Poor judgment
- Difficulty judging speed and distance
- Impaired vision and concentration
This false sense of confidence is one reason drunk driving remains such a persistent problem despite decades of public education and tougher criminal penalties.
How to Protect Yourself
You can’t control whether someone else chooses to drive impaired, but there are steps you can take to reduce your own risk.
Whenever possible:
- Stay alert at intersections, where many serious collisions occur.
- Leave extra following distance between your vehicle and others.
- Watch for drivers weaving between lanes, braking erratically, or traveling at unusually fast or slow speeds.
- If you believe a driver is impaired, keep your distance and call 911 when it is safe to do so.
Most importantly, never assume other drivers are making safe decisions simply because it’s daytime.
What Happens After a Suspected Drunk Driving Crash?
When investigators believe alcohol may have contributed to a crash, the investigation often extends beyond the initial collision.
Police may review toxicology reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and crash reconstruction evidence to determine exactly what happened. If intoxication is confirmed, the driver may face criminal charges.
A criminal case, however, is separate from a civil injury or wrongful death claim. While prosecutors determine whether a crime was committed, victims and surviving family members may pursue compensation for the losses caused by the crash.
Lost a Loved One or Injured by a Drunk Driver? Call Shaw.
Drunk driving cases often involve extensive investigations and significant damages. An experienced attorney can help preserve evidence, protect your rights, and pursue every available source of compensation.
If you or a loved one was injured in a crash caused by an impaired driver, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Medical Bills
- Emergency Treatment
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Funeral Expenses
- Loss of Financial Support
- Wrongful Death Damages
- And More
We’ll help you find out for free.
Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 today or use our live chat to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced drunk driving accident attorneys. No fees, no obligations, just straightforward legal guidance from a firm that puts clients first.
We look forward to serving you.