Three Killed in Port Arthur Two-Vehicle Crash on Highway 82 near Valero Refinery; Chance Craddock Arrested

Port Arthur, Texas (May 21, 2021) – Three people were killed, and a child was critically injured Thursday night in a two-vehicle crash in Port Arthur, according to the Port Arthur Police Department.

The fatal crash happened around 7:35 p.m., May 20, in the 2600 block of Highway 82.

Police said Chance Glynn Craddock, 25, of Mount Enterprise, was driving a Dodge truck northbound on the highway when he crossed over into southbound traffic and crashed into a passenger vehicle.

The force of the impact caused the passenger vehicle to overturn and come to rest next to the fence at the refinery.

Three people in the passenger vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene.

A young child who was also riding in the passenger vehicle was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

Craddock was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He admitted to using drugs and alcohol prior to the crash. He was arrested on three charges of intoxication manslaughter with a motor vehicle.

The police are investigating the crash.

In Texas, a driver is legally intoxicated after consuming alcohol if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08% or higher. A driver is also considered intoxicated if they don’t have the normal use of their mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol. Alcohol however is not the only intoxicant, as drivers can become intoxicated by ingesting prescription and illegal drugs such as crack, marijuana, and cocaine.

Regardless of what substance caused the driver’s reaction time to become significantly altered, intoxication by any means can cause terrible accidents and injuries.

Innocent victims harmed by drunk drivers are entitled to compensation for their injuries, including but not limited to medical expenses; lost wages; pain and suffering and mental anguish; physical impairment and disability; and most importantly, punitive damages to deter future conduct. If a death occurred because of a drunk driver, you will want a knowledgeable accident lawyer to bring a wrongful death action against the drunk driver.

To speak with one of our highly qualified lawyers at  Joel A. Gordon & Associates, Click to call: 281-943-5555.