WICHITA FALLS, TX — Local police named James West as the man that was seriously injured in an accident with an alleged drunk driver that happened in Wichita Falls, Texas on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015. News reports out of the Texoma area said that the accident happened at about 8:00 Saturday night.
Police with details of the accident investigation said that 41-year-old James West was hurt when the motorcycle he was driving was struck by a motorist near the intersection of Sheppard Access Road and Industrial Boulevard. The offending vehicle fled the scene immediately following the accident.
West was taken to a Dallas, Texas hospital where he was being treated for unspecified injuries. The driver of the motorcycle was identified in the news report as 18-year-old Tanner Hutchins, who currently faces charges of intoxication manslaughter in connection with the crash.
The investigation is ongoing at this time.
Scene of the Accident
View of the Road
Commentary:
The fact that the offending driver in the accident was under the age of 21, and the fact that they were allegedly under the influence of alcohol is something that needs to be looked into extensively. Why? Because there is a chance that a bar or licensed alcohol business or establishment broke the law just as the driver did when they put their keys in the ignition. How so? By breaking the laws that govern the responsible and safe sale of alcohol. Contrary to popular belief, bars are not zones of wanton debauchery and drinking. They are a place that is regulated so people can partake in a potentially harmful activity like drinking in a safe and controlled environment. If the bar served an underage person over the legal intoxication limit, then it is a perfect example of behavior that should never go unpunished. These alcohol service regulations are put on the books not to choke bars and restaurants of precious revenue, they are on the books to safeguard our roadways from the dangers of drunk drivers.
— Grossman Law Offices