Houston, TX - 16-Year-Old Tristan Sanders Killed, 2 Others Injured in Tragic DWI Crash

Tragic Suspected Drunk Driving Crash Leaves 1 Dead, 2 Injured in Houston

Lawyer Comments: Hit by drunk driver lawyer Anjali Nigam will discuss the legal rights of drunk driving crash victims and their families in the second section of this story.

A 16-year-old boy was killed and two other people were injured in a tragic suspected drunk driving crash in Houston in the early hours of Friday, June 5.

Harris County deputies say that a black BMW was speeding southbound on State Highway 6 and was struck by a white Hummer near Loch Katrine Lane at around 2:30 a.m. The BMW was split into two upon impact.

16-year-old Tristan Sanders, who was in the back of the BMW, was thrown from the car and died at the scene. The BMW's driver and another passenger were both hospitalized in serious condition.

The driver of the Hummer, Carlos Ayala, was not seriously injured and was charged with driving while intoxicated.

Filing a Lawsuit After Getting Hit by a Drunk Driver

Attorney contributor Anjali Nigam represents people who have been injured by drunk drivers and the families of those killed in drunk driving crashes. Here is Anjali to share some thoughts on the legal rights of these victims and families:

Thousands of families are affected by drunk driving crashes every year, as these crashes are some of the most common causes of injuries and deaths in the United States. When a drunk driver causes a crash with injuries or deaths, it's important that those affected are aware of their legal options.

Many people in this situation require financial support for personal and economic difficulties, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In many cases, drunk drivers can be sued for these damages directly. Additionally, Texas and many other states have dram shop laws, which allow alcohol vendors to be sued under certain conditions.

According to Texas dram shop law, someone injured by a drunk driver (or the family of a fatal DWI crash victim) can sue an alcohol vendor if:

• alcohol was sold to a minor under 18, or
• when the alcohol was sold, the customer was obviously and dangerously intoxicated, and
• the customer's intoxication was a foreseeable cause of injuries or deaths.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed by a drunk driver, you can learn more about your legal rights in a free consultation with one of our experienced drunk driving crash victim lawyers.

Sources:

https://www.click2houston.com/traffic/2020/06/05/1-killed-2-injured-after-car-split-in-half-during-west-harris-county-crash/

https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2020/06/05/dallas-teen-killed-when-hummer-crash-rips-bmw-in-half/