DALLAS, TX (10/16/2017) — A suspected drunk driver is under arrest after running a red light and causing a fatal accident in East Dallas Monday night.
According to Dallas Police, the collision occurred at around 11:00 p.m. at the intersection of North Buckner Boulevard and Garland Road, in front of the Casa Linda Plaza.
Police say 25-year-old Damondrae Garner was in a white Volvo, traveling northbound on Buckner Blvd. at a high rate of speed, when he ran a red light and collided with the passenger side of a black Toyota Avalon. The force of the crash caused the Avalon to spin around and strike a third vehicle.
Firefighters arrived and extricated a female passenger from the Avalon, who was later identified as 56-year-old Minya Paulson. Paulson was transported to Baylor University Medical Center, where she unfortunately succumbed to her injuries.
The driver of the Avalon, identified as 62-year-old Zachariah Paulson, was transported the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Both occupants of the third vehicle involved were treated and released at the scene.
Garner, who caused the accident, was arrested after failing a field sobriety test and has been charged with one count of intoxication manslaughter. According to first responders, an open bottle of Sutter Home cabernet sauvignon was found at the accident scene. He remains in jail with a $50,000 bond.
Commentary
It drives me crazy reading about such tragic and preventable wrongful deaths taking place right here in my own neighborhood on a weekly (sometimes daily) basis. Those who choose to drive while intoxicated are putting innocent lives at risk, and we as a community need to do what we can to lower the number of drunk drivers on our roads.
Offenders need to be prosecuted, victims need to pursue civil claims, bars which habitually over-serve patrons past the point of intoxication need to be punished, and all of us need to be vigilant whenever possible.
Is your friend about to drive home after one too many? Shame them, take their keys, call them an Uber… call the police if you have to. Do you see a car weaving or driving erratically, pull over and call 9-1-1 to report it.
I know we’re never going to prevent all drunk driving accidents from happening, but if this plea results in even just one person preventing a drunk driver from getting out on the road and causing an accident, I would consider it a success. Trust me when I say that you hold influence over your friends and loved ones. You have the power to influence the behaviors of others through your actions and words, but only if you make an effort to do so.
Related links:
- Drunk Driving Accident Statistics in Texas
- Texas Dram Shop (Liquor Liability) Law
- MADD: Take Action – Texas
