Drunk driving or driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a very prevalent problem in Houston. A DWI is defined as a person over the age of 21, driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher. If you are below that age of 21, driving with any detectable amount of alcohol in your system constitutes a DWI. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Harris County suffered 2,809 alcohol related vehicle accents in 2012. Harris County and the City of Houston ranked number 1 in the State of Texas for alcohol-related vehicle accidents.
Many of us have heard about the tragic event that took place in Austin, Texas at South by Southwest (SXSW) this year. The tragedy left four people dead and more than 20 injured. The suspected drunk driver, Rashad Charjuan Owens, has been charged with capital murder. He allegedly drove through a police barricade while intoxicated. The barricade was in place to section off a designated area for people to cerebrate at the music festival.
On May 31, 2014, Houston will once again be hosting the annual music festival, Free Pass Summer Fest (FPSF). Sponsors for FPSF include companies like Budweiser and Absolute Vodka. Many of the injuries that occur at FPSF are due to heat exhaustion and dehydration. This does not necessarily mean they are related to the consumption of alcohol. However, to avoid any similarity to the tragedy at SXSW, always drink responsibly and never operate a vehicle if you have been drinking.
If you or someone you know have been injured or killed due a drunk driver, contact an attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211.