Galveston tourist killed, 4 injured in suspected DUI crash

One tourist was killed and four people were hurt in a Galveston car accident on a late Saturday night. Police have charged a Conroe man with intoxication manslaughter and assault for ploughing his Infinity G35 into a horse-drawn carriage.

The carriage operator was transporting a Sugarland couple to the beach following a birthday celebration around 11 p.m. The car rear-ended the tourist carriage near an intersection, killing a 57-year-old man. Police are not certain whether the car was speeding.

The victim’s 46-year-old wife, a 26-year-old Galveston carriage operator and a teenage passenger all suffered injuries. The three are listed in stable condition at the University of Texas Medical Branch. A 22-year-old woman passenger in the Infinity was also injured. Doctors say the woman checked out of the hospital against doctor recommendations.

Reports say the 22-year-old Infinity driver tried to flee the accident scene but was restrained by witnesses until police got there. The Conroe man failed a field sobriety test and was given an alcohol blood test at the hospital.

The defendant was placed in the Galveston County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond.

Impaired driving is negligent behavior. A person who drinks and drives may not intend to injure or kill others, but intoxication makes it more likely that an individual will.

The defendant apparently tried to run from responsibility. He faces severe punishments if he is convicted of the felonies. The Conroe man could also be named in a civil lawsuit blaming him for the tourist’s wrongful death and the injuries to other accident victims.

Each victim’s life changed because of the accident. The injuries may heal, but the loss of life is permanent. Personal injury lawsuits allow victims to recover compensation for the damages a negligent person causes.

Damage recovery could pay for the medical treatment, care and recovery of the victims. A wrongful death lawsuit could ease financial suffering for the injured wife and any children left behind after the Sugarland man’s death.

Source: chron.com, “Galveston police ID victims of fatal horse-drawn carriage accident,” Robert Stanton, July 23, 2012