As the New Year approaches, residents of Central Texas are preparing to celebrate the arrival of 2026. However, this festive period also marks a significant increase in DWI-related accidents, prompting officials to issue urgent warnings.
Recently, two tragic incidents over the weekend have raised concerns about the dangers of impaired driving. The first crash occurred early Sunday morning in Austin, involving an SUV, a hatchback, and a sedan. Unfortunately, the driver of the hatchback lost their life at the scene.
The Austin Police Department has identified 27-year-old Angelicque Bramlett as the driver of the SUV involved in this collision. She has been charged with intoxication manslaughter and is currently held on a $50,000 bond.
Later that same evening, a separate DWI-related crash took place in San Marcos. Here, 30-year-old Amy Blackwell crashed her SUV into a traffic pole. After exiting the vehicle, her passenger was struck by a passing truck and pronounced dead at the scene. Blackwell was hospitalized and subsequently arrested for DWI in connection with the SUV incident and has since been released on bond.
Officials are emphasizing the importance of refraining from drinking and driving during this high-risk season. “Many people mistakenly believe that drunk driving is a victimless crime, but the truth is that it has lasting repercussions on lives,” stated Stan Standridge, Chief of the San Marcos Police Department. He highlighted that communities like San Marcos are witnessing a concerning number of fatal accidents attributed to alcohol and drug use.
Data from the Texas Department of Transportation underscores the increased hazards on the roads during the holiday season. Between December 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, there were:
- 2,213 DWI-alcohol related crashes in Texas
- 96 fatalities and 201 serious injuries
- An 11% decrease in DWI-related crashes compared to 2023
“It’s crucial to plan ahead and have a strategy for getting home safely,” advised Jeff Barker from the Texas Department of Transportation, who is promoting the ‘Drive Sober. No Regrets.’ campaign aimed at reducing impaired driving during the holidays. He urged individuals to avoid the temptation of driving under the influence.
To facilitate safer travel options, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are recommended, even if their fares may surge during this busy season. Barker noted, “The cost of a rideshare after a night of drinking is far less than the potential consequences of driving impaired.”
Additionally, CapMetro is enhancing public transit options by providing free rides on New Year’s Eve after 5 p.m. on all services except Bikeshare. The CapMetro Rail will also operate late, with the last train leaving Downtown Station at 2:22 a.m.
For those who may drive to their celebrations but later reconsider their ability to drive safely, Austin’s Get Home Safely Ticket Waiver Program offers a solution. If individuals leave their vehicles parked overnight at city parking meters and obtain a safe ride home, they can upload a photo of their parking ticket along with proof of their responsible transportation, such as a taxi or rideshare receipt, to have the ticket waived.
