Bexar County Jury Awards $82 Million for Wrongful Death DWI Crash
One driver was intoxicated and drove the wrong way on a freeway exit ramp, causing a head-on collision. The other driver suffered severe injuries and passed away two weeks later. The crash occurred after the intoxicated driver was allegedly over-served alcohol at a bar.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Head/Brain Injury Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. Car accidents are a leading cause of TBI, with effects ranging from temporary symptoms to permanent cognitive impairment.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $82,000,000
- County
- Bexar County, TX
- Resolved
- 2020
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Head/Brain Injury
- Accident Type
- Head-on
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $82,000,000 is above the median of $1,893,000 for head/brain injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $93,169 to $9,140,000, based on 45 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On January 31, 2020, a former deputy U.S. Marshal drove a vehicle the wrong way on a freeway exit ramp in Bexar County, Texas, resulting in a head-on collision. The driver, who tested more than twice the legal alcohol limit in Texas, crashed into another vehicle. The victim, a 23-year-old nursing student, suffered severe head and neck injuries, fell into a coma, and died two weeks later due to her injuries.
The victim's parents, individually and as representatives of her estate, subsequently filed a lawsuit against the driver and a local establishment, The Block SA LLC. The complaint alleged that on the day of the incident, the driver became severely intoxicated at The Block after being served by a bartender despite his obvious intoxication. The plaintiffs brought causes of action for dram shop violations against the establishment, as well as negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, and survival statute violations against the driver. They sought damages including medical expenses, mental anguish, and exemplary damages.
During the trial, evidence was presented indicating the driver did not provide medical assistance to the victim, who remained conscious but trapped in her vehicle for 40 minutes after the crash. On April 22, 2024, a jury found that the driver negligently operated his vehicle while intoxicated and caused the crash that killed the victim. The jury awarded $82 million to the estate of the victim.
Understanding This Case
- Most mild TBIs resolve within weeks to months. Moderate to severe TBI often results in permanent impairment affecting cognition, behavior, and physical function.
- This case went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
- This case was resolved in Bexar County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2020, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.
VerdictlyTM Score
This outcome differs from typical similar cases
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