On September 26th, 2025, Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson received a verdict in Travis County for $113,917,470. It is the largest verdict to-date for a personal injury as well as dram shop case. The trial team was lead by Robby Alden, with help from Carson May.
About the case: Six-year-old Willow Walker was seriously injured in a high-speed car crash caused by a drunk driver who had been overserved at a Wings ‘N More restaurant. The crash was caught on video by a Tesla driving in the adjacent lane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCCtH1B_NYk
Willow was strapped in her car seat in the back of the car when the drunk driver’s large pickup crashed into the back, and came down on the top of Willow’s car, crushing the back and trapping her in the wreckage. Willow’s mother, Caitlin Carpenter, and Lorenzo Marquez were located in the front of the car and were also injured. The defendants included the drunk driver, the restaurant, the restaurant manager, and the waitress.
The jury apportioned responsibility 60% to the driver, and 40% to the Dram Shop defendants (37% to Wings ‘N More, 2% to the manager, and 1% to the waitress.)
This case is an example of not only the horrific consequences of driving drunk, but the of the personal financial consequences for those that sell and serve alcohol for a living when they overserve customers.
Willow, Caitlin and Lorenzo will bear the burden of Willow’s devastating injuries. It was an honor to help them with this case, even though no jury verdict could ever be enough.
