Killeen, TX — Earlier this year on February 8th, there was a serious accident in Killeen along Veterans Memorial Boulevard that left a woman named Christina Nakamura with injuries and a driver facing alcohol-related charges. Earlier this month, the driver was identified as Raymond Matthew Banks, a Fort Hood soldier, and he was indicted on intoxication assault charges by a grand jury in Bell County.
According to the news reports, Banks crashed his pickup truck along Veterans Memorial Boulevard near 44th Street that night when he lost control. While Banks was able to get out of his pickup truck, his passenger Christina Nakamura was badly injured and had to be rescued.
She was rushed to a hospital while Banks was arrested. Responding officers reported that they could smell alcohol on Banks’ breath and that he seemed intoxicated. They also said that they found a bottle of alcohol in his truck that still had some in it.
Later, his BAC tested at a .124%, well over the legal limit of 0.08%.
Map of the Accident
View from the Road
Commentary:
I remember reading about this accident in the news earlier this year and was interested to read some updates after the grand jury made their decision. I noticed that this driver had a liquor bottle that was mostly empty at the scene. Now, did the court ever find out where that bottle came from? The reason I’m pointing that out is because it may have an impact on other charges being brought against a third party: specifically, a liquor store.
In the State of Texas, it’s illegal for a business to sell alcohol past 2:00 a.m. or to anyone who’s obviously already under the influence of alcohol. To do so is just plain irresponsible and dangerous, I might add.
According to this driver’s BAC, he had quite a bit drink that night/morning, so if he had bought the liquor somewhere (or even been drinking at a bar), then it might be prudent to review those video surveillance tapes or interview the employees to see if they remember the driver when he purchased the alcohol.
My point here is that this driver made his own decisions and is obviously facing the consequences for them, but if a liquor store or bar made things worse by negligently providing alcohol to someone who had no business drinking any more, then they’re just as guilty in the eyes of the law.
— Grossman Law Offices
