Bexar County Jury Awards $82 Million for Wrongful Death DWI Crash

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.