Drinking this Christmas? Plan not to drive.
Single-Vehicle Accident on Loop 410 Leaves Woman Dead, Car in Flames
According to a KSAT News report, a woman was killed in a single-vehicle accident early Tuesday morning.
Police reported the accident happened at around 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, December 24th, on Loop 410 near the Austin Highway exit. A woman, later identified as Hannah Meza (21), was excessively speeding on Loop 410 when she attempted to take the Austin Highway exit. She lost control of her vehicle, crashing into a barrier and metal rail before catching fire. Police say she was trapped inside the vehicle, had to be extracted, and was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS. The investigation is ongoing.
Did You Know?
In all fatal DUI accidents in December 2022, drivers ages 21 to 34 accounted for 25%, more than any other age group.
Don’t Drink and Drive This Christmas
Thousands of lives are lost every December to drunk driving, with Christmas Eve and Christmas being some of the most deadly days.
In December 2022:
- 1,096 people died in DUI crashes.
- 45% of drivers in fatal accidents between 12 a.m. and 2:59 a.m. were drunk.
- 31% of drivers in fatal crashes between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. were drunk.
It’s never worth the risk. Even one drink will impact your driving ability, and it only takes one small mistake to ruin your (or someone else’s) life. Make the choice today to keep the holidays merry for everyone, and put the keys away if you’re picking up a drink.
Avoiding Drunk Driving: Tips for the 2024 Holidays
There are lots of options for party-goers to avoid drunk driving this year, such as:
- Taking an Uber/Lyft — Designated drivers leave someone out of the fun, which is why many skip this option. But everyone can have as much as they want if you hire a driver! Hiring an Uber or a Lyft is surprisingly inexpensive when everyone pitches in, especially when you consider the first offense for a DUI will cost you up to $2,000 in fines.
- Using a Designated Driver — Plan to have someone skip the alcohol and give everyone a ride! With so many non-alcoholic options available these days, they can still take part in the party without the alcohol.
You can check out more alternatives in our other article here: 3 Ways to Avoid Drunk Driving This Holiday Season
Tips for the Host
Hosting the party?
As a host, you can potentially bear legal responsibility if one of your guests causes a drunk driving accident. You can graciously encourage your guests to avoid drunk driving by:
- Before the Party: Include a friendly note in the invitation informing guests that alcohol will be served and that they may need alternative transportation. If you’re able, you can offer assistance in arranging carpooling and alternative transportation.
- During the Party: Serve alcohol early on and with plenty of food, making sure to monitor guests. If you are using a self-serve bar, leave a note reminding guests not to drive drunk. Make sure to provide plenty of non-alcoholic options for designated drivers.
- After the Party: Check in with guests as they leave (especially young adult guests) with a gentle reminder about avoiding drunk driving. If you have a guest room or spare couch available, have it ready just in case.
Of course, you can do everything right this holiday season and still be injured by a drunk driver. When that happens, call Shaw.
Injured by Drunk Driver This Christmas? Call Shaw!
Drunk drivers ruin the holidays for thousands of people every year.
If you were injured by a drunk driver anywhere in Texas, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Ambulance Costs,
- ER Treatment,
- Surgeries,
- Property Damage,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Trauma/PTSD,
- Missed Work,
- Wrongful Death,
- And More.
We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.
Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced car accident attorney. No fees, no obligations, just the expert legal help you need. We’re a trusted name in San Antonio and across Texas because we put our clients first. We look forward to serving you.
²NHTSA/DOT on Holiday Drunk Driving
Related: Texas Ranks in Top 5 for Worst Drivers in America Again in 2024 Study.