Update [October 13, 2014]: The woman injured in this accident, Cynthia Mendoza, died form her her injuries this past Wednesday, October 8, 2014. David Zavala, the driver who caused the car accident in question has been re-charged with intoxication manslaughter since the accident is now a fatal one.
El Paso, TX — A woman was critically injured after the pickup truck she was riding in rolled over in El Paso, Texas, on Sunday, October 5, 2014. The accident happened around 10:30 at night. Police said Cynthia Mendoza, 43, was injured after 25-year old David Zavala lost control of his truck. Zavala was later charged with intoxicated assault.
Allegedly, he was under the influence of alcohol at the time. According to reports, Zavala was speeding on Fred Wilson in his pickup truck (with Mendoza as a passenger) and ran a red light. The truck went on to crash into a TXDot sign before rolling over. Mendoza was critically injured and taken to a nearby hospital, where she was still being kept at the last update. Police said that David Zavala was suspected of being under the influence when they arrived and they have since arrested him, charging him with intoxicated assault.
Scene of the Accident
Commentary:
Alcohol-related accidents almost always point toward two things: 1) the decisions of the driver and 2) the decisions of whoever provided the alcohol in the first place. Now, in some situations, people drink at their house or at a party, but the majority of alcohol consumption among adults happens in local bars, restaurants, pubs, etc. When someone decides to drink and then get behind the wheel, they’re responsible for their actions – no question about it. But when they drink at an establishment like a bar, then the bartender or server is responsible for their own decisions as well. What do I mean? Well, a lot of people like to jump the gun when they hear about accidents like this and blame the allegedly drunk driver. True, they make their own decisions and must now face the consequences. But let’s imagine that a bartender had continually served a customer drinks until he could no longer walk straight? Is that responsible of the bartender? I don’t know about you, but I’d say that bar is making a few extra bucks while turning a blind eye to a potentially dangerous situation. The bottom line is that while the driver in this particular accident will certainly have to answer for his actions, let’s not be so quick to point the finger only at him. — Grossman Law Offices
