Texas county leads in DUI-related Halloween fatal crashes

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Lone Star State ranked No. 1 among states for the highest percentage of fatal DUI-related crashes on Halloween, according to analysis from Florida-based personal injury law firm Anidjar & Levine.

The lawyers' findings cited data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration between 2018 and 2022, with four Texas counties landing in the Top 20 counties for DUI-related fatal crashes nationally.

Texas' Ellis County ranked No. 1, with 46.2% of drivers involved in fatal crashes during Halloween under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication. That figure came from an analysis of 13 drivers involved in fatal crashes over the five-year period, with six of those found to be under the influence.

Bastrop County in Central Texas came in at No. 4, with 38.5% of those fatal crashes during the October holiday involving drivers under the influence. Of 13 total drivers involved in fatal crashes during the reporting period, five were reportedly under the influence at the time of the crash.

Elsewhere in Texas, both Hill and Medina counties tied for No. 16 in the country, with 30% of drivers involved in Halloween fatal crashes under the influence.

The Top 20 counties are listed below:

1. Ellis County, Texas: 46.2% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
2. Park County, Montana: 40.0% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
3. Kootenai County, Idaho: 38.5% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
4. Bastrop County, Texas: 38.5% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
5. Jefferson County, Colorado: 37.5% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
6. Mendocino County, California: 35.7% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
7. Bullitt County, Kentucky: 35.7% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
8. Ventura County, California: 35.5% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
9. Pueblo County, Colorado: 34.6% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
10. Gadsden County, Florida: 33.3% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
11. Monroe County, Michigan: 33.3% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
12. El Paso County, Colorado: 31.3% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
13. Siskiyou County, California: 30.8% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
14. Douglas County, Oregon: 30.8% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
15. Madera County, California: 30.4% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
16. Boone County, Missouri: 30.0% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
17. Seneca County, New York: 30.0% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
18. Hill County, Texas: 30.0% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
19. Medina County, Texas: 30.0% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence
20. Nevada County, California: 29.4% of drivers involved in fatal crashes under the influence

"Many people celebrate Halloween with parties, gatherings, and events that often involve alcohol," a spokesperson for Anidjar & Levine said in an email. "This leads to a higher likelihood of individuals driving under the influence."

Here in the Austin area, the Austin Police Department has previously enacted its "No Refusal Initiative" during the Halloween season. That department effort allows APD to obtain a blood search warrant during specific hours "when an arrested driver refuses to submit to a blood alcohol test," APD officials said.

Earlier this month, the department announced it would be pivoting to a year-round effort, instead of only during specific timespans like holiday weekends.