A tragic incident on I-635 has resulted in the death of a bystander and led to serious charges against a driver suspected of intoxication. Authorities have charged 53-year-old Robert Watson with intoxication manslaughter following a crash that claimed the life of Mohammad Obeidat.
The fatal collision occurred around 12:30 a.m. on May 27, as Dallas Police responded to the scene near Preston Road. Reports indicate that Obeidat was outside a tow truck, assisting with a disabled vehicle, when Watson’s truck collided with the tow truck. The force of the impact caused Watson’s vehicle to flip over, resulting in Obeidat’s death.
Upon arrival, law enforcement officers observed signs of intoxication in Watson, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and the strong smell of alcohol on his breath. According to an arrest affidavit, Watson claimed he was traveling from West Texas to Garland and had consumed “1 1/1 cans” of beer prior to driving. He has since been booked into the Dallas County Jail, with his bond set at $100,000.
Dallas County court records reveal that Watson has a troubling history of DWI offenses, with previous arrests recorded in 1994, 2007, 2013, and 2015.
Witness Cole Moscatel, who saw the incident unfold, expressed his deep frustration and sadness regarding the situation. He and his family intervened, performing CPR on Obeidat until emergency responders arrived. Moscatel, who has prior CPR training from his time as an EMT in California, noted his disappointment that more people did not step in to help, which could potentially have altered the outcome.
“It’s terrible, absolutely terrible, the whole situation,” Moscatel stated. “This could have cost someone else’s life, and I’m sure it has affected his life as well, all from one poor decision.” He emphasized the importance of learning from such tragedies, urging others to refrain from drinking and driving.
As investigations continue, the community is left grappling with the devastating impact of this incident and the need for greater awareness surrounding the dangers of impaired driving.
