Drunk Driver in Hospital Awaiting Charges
Another DWI wrong-way crash, this one tragically taking the lives of a young mother and her two children early Sunday. 22-year-old Maranda Abshire had just left her grandfather’s house moments before when the fatal crash occurred a half mile away on County Road 810.
Leonard Abshire was watching his grandchildren 5-year-old Adrian and 2-year-old Cruz, as he did five nights a week so the single mother could work her shift at a local Chili’s restaurant. Maranda picked up her children and her 13 year-old sister Lindsey and started toward home at close to 1:30 a.m. The driver of a pick-up truck was travelling in the wrong direction on U.S. Highway 67 near County Road 810 and Baker Lane and slammed head first into Maranda’s Mustang. Miranda and her two children died at the scene. Lindsey survived and was flown to the hospital with injuries that appear to be non-life threatening. The drunk driver also survived, but is currently hospitalized with serious injuries. He had to be extricated from his vehicle.
Police suspect the pick-up driver was intoxicated and are waiting for toxicology results before bringing charges, presumably DWI, intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault. His name has not yet been released.
Deaths Devastate Family
Friends remember Maranda as a devoted mother to her two kids and a hard working, friendly hostess. She was also studying to be a legal assistant in addition to motherhood and a full-time job.
In an instant, a drunk driver took the life of a woman with a bright future and her beloved children and shattered the lives of everybody who loved them.
Intoxication Leading Cause of Wrong-Way Crashes
According to a National Transportation Safety Board Special Investigation Report on Wrong Way Crashes, alcohol is a leading factor in these types of accidents. In fact, seven of nine wrong-way drivers had blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 percent or higher and 60 percent of wrong-way drivers who caused fatal collisions had been drinking. Frighteningly, nine percent of wrong way drivers had a DWI conviction within the previous three years of the wrong way accident.
The NTSB recommends installation of ignition interlock devices to stop drunk drivers. MADD has been recommending this same solution for years and I have personally supported the efforts to pass legislation in Texas to require installation of ignition interlock devices after a first DWI conviction.
If you were the victim of a drunk driver, we can help you recover. Call top-ranked Berenson Law Firm at 817-885-8000 to set up your free initial case evaluation.