Woman Accused of Intoxication Manslaughter for Fatal Dallas Crash
Police say a woman charged with intoxication manslaughter had told authorities she had three alcoholic drinks and had also smoked marijuana prior to the fatal crash.
About the Fatal Dallas Accident
According to WFAA, Denise Chantel Alford, 35, was arrested Monday night following a fatal crash that resulted in the death of Garry McGee, 35.
McGee, a tow truck driver, was hooking a car to his truck on the High Five overpass around 9:45 pm when Alford crashed into the car being towed. McGee was knocked off the bridge, falling nearly 12 stories to the ground below.
Alford told police she was trying to avoid a pickup that had cut her off when she veered into the vehicle McGee was setting up to be towed.
An affidavit states Alford admitted to taking several prescription medications at 9:00 pm, smoking marijuana around 4:30 pm, and drinking three alcoholic beverages around 3 pm. The affidavit also states Alford incorrectly stated letters of the alphabet and numbers during a field sobriety test, and that she “displayed an abnormal side to side sway” and “could not keep balance.”
Alford took a breathalyzer test which showed a BAC of .076, just below the Texas legal limit of .08; however, with the field sobriety test being considered, the officer determined Alford “was intoxicated and did not have the normal use of her mental and physical faculties while operating a motor vehicle.”
The accident remains under investigation, and results from a blood draw taken from Alford are pending.
Texas Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
The following information was provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):
- 3,773 people were killed in Texas traffic accidents in 2016, marking a 5.45% increase from the 3,578 deaths reported in 2015.
- 638 of the deaths reported in 2016 were attributed to a head-on collision.
- Alcohol was determined to be a factor in 987 traffic deaths, accounting for roughly 26% of all Texas traffic fatalities.
- An additional 264,076 people were injured in auto accidents in Texas in 2016.
- Based on reportable data for 2016, TxDOT estimates:
- One person was killed in a traffic accident every 2 hours and 20 minutes.
- One person was injured every 1 minute and 59 seconds.
- A reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds.
Injured by a Drunk Driver? Call Thomas J. Henry Law
If you or a loved one was injured by a drunk driver, call Thomas J. Henry Law to speak with a Dallas car accident lawyer about your claim. Our law firm has represented clients injured in auto accidents for more than 25 years. We are available 24/7 to assist you. Call now for your FREE case review.
