Mother fights for ID law after son dies in alcohol-related crash
- Charlotte Stephens lost her son Deshawn in an alcohol-related car accident in 2022.
- The jury rejected her lawsuit against the convenience store that sold him alcohol just before the crash.
- She is now advocating for a law requiring electronic ID readers in alcohol retail establishments.
In 2022, in Texas, an 18-year-old named Deshawn died in a tragic car crash, which was linked to underage alcohol consumption. The accident occurred when one vehicle collided with another at an intersection in Garland. Following the incident, authorities discovered evidence of alcohol at the crash scene, prompting an investigation into the role of impairment in the crash. Deshawn's mother, Charlotte Stephens, filed a civil lawsuit against a convenience store for selling alcohol illegally to her son moments before the crash, seeking accountability for the circumstances surrounding her son's death. However, a Dallas County jury rejected her claims, leading her to pivot from legal action towards legislative reform. As a passionate advocate, Stephens is now partnering with State Senator Royce West to push for new legislation requiring all retailers selling alcohol to implement electronic ID readers. She believes such measures will help prevent underage alcohol sales and could have saved her son's life. Expressing her disappointment over the jury's verdict, she emphasizes that visible intoxication should not be the only criterion for preventing underage alcohol sales, asserting that common-sense measures can protect other families from experiencing similar tragedies. Charlotte prides herself on being a strong voice in this movement to protect youth from the deadly consequences of underage drinking and driving, reflecting on her son's legacy as she continues to fight for change.