El Paso, Texas - Carlos Lechuga Killed, Hector Mendoza Seriously Injured in Suspected Drunk Driving Crash on I-10 Exit Ramp

Martin Castaneda Charged in Fatal Drunk Driving Crash on I-10

Police believe a drunk driver caused a fatal chain-reaction crash on the I-10 West exit ramp last Monday, December 9. One man was killed and another was seriously injured in the crash.

According to the police, the crash happened at around 10 p.m. on December 9. Authorities said that a tractor-trailer was stalled on the I-10 West exit ramp and that Carlos Lechuga and Hector Mendoza stopped to help the driver, parking in front of the trailer.

Investigators say that 24-year-old Martin Castaneda was weaving through traffic and rear-ended the tractor-trailer, which then collided with the vehicle parked in front of it. This unoccupied vehicle reportedly struck both Lechuga and Mendoza, who were standing in front of it.

Both men were knocked off the overpass and fell roughly four stories. Lechuga was hospitalized at Del Sol Hospital, where he later died. Castaneda is still recovering from his injuries.

Castaneda has been charged with intoxicated manslaughter and intoxicated assault.

Financial Compensation for Drunk Driving Injury Victims and Their Families in Texas

Lawyer contributor to The Legal Herald, Anjali Nigam has helped families affected by drunk driving crashes recover the financial compensation they need and deserve. Anjali has a few thoughts to add on the financial compensation options available to these families in Texas:

In the aftermath of a drunk driving crashes with serious injuries or deaths, it's important that the victims and their families are aware of their legal rights. These crashes can take a devastating financial and emotional toll on those injured and their loved ones. These families deserve financial compensation for the variety of economic and non-economic difficulties they may face.

Drunk drivers can be sued by victims and their families in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. But in some cases, the legal options available to victims and famlies may not end here. In Texas and many other states, alcohol vendors can also be sued for injuries caused by their customers under dram shop laws.

According to Texas dram shop laws, an alcohol vendor can be held liable for injuries caused by a customer if:

• alcohol was provided to a minor under the age of 18, or
• the customer was "obviously intoxicated" and posed "a clear danger" to the safety of self and others at the time the alcohol was provided, and
• this intoxication was a foreseeable cause of injuries suffered.

If you or a loved one has recently been injured or killed after being hit by a drunk driver, you can learn more about your legal rights and options for financial compensation in a free consultation with one of our experienced drunk driving crash victims lawyers.

Sources:

https://www.ktsm.com/local/alleged-drunk-driver-arrested-in-connection-with-deadly-chain-reaction-crash-in-far-east-el-paso-police-say/

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-world/national/article238286368.html

https://kvia.com/news/crime/2019/12/12/alleged-drunk-driver-facing-manslaughter-and-assault-charges-after-deadly-chain-reaction-crash-on-i-10-at-loop-375/