A North Texas family has filed a lawsuit against Dallas bar Harwood Arms after a wrong-way crash killed 28-year-old Tra’Nia Jackson on the Dallas North Tollway last year.
The family alleges the bar overserved Michael Majewski, who police say was intoxicated when he drove north in southbound lanes, causing the fatal head-on collision.
The case highlights Texas’ Dram Shop Law, which holds businesses liable for serving alcohol to obviously intoxicated patrons who later cause injuries. Legal experts say such lawsuits aim to force bars to serve alcohol more responsibly.
The tragedy unfolded in the early morning hours of May 12, 2025, when Majewski’s vehicle struck Jackson’s car after clipping an 18-wheeler on the tollway near Royal Lane. A trooper and bystanders pulled Jackson, her two sisters, and two friends from the fiery wreckage.
Police arrested Majewski on Friday, charging him with intoxication manslaughter and assault.
“Mr. Majewski was driving the wrong way down the toll road. He was obviously intoxicated, and he should never have been allowed to get into that condition at a bar knowing he was going to get in a car and attempt to drive home,” said attorney Charla Aldous, NBC 5 reported.
Arrest documents reveal Majewski told troopers he left Harwood Arms just before the crash. He had been meeting friends for drinks.
“It is our goal to try to show establishments that are selling alcohol that they need to do so responsibly and safely,” Aldous said.
Aldous previously won a Dram Shop case in 2018, representing the mother of former Cowboys player Jerry Brown. Brown died in a drunk driving crash.
Jackson’s family remembers their daughter as having a beautiful spirit. They hope the lawsuit prevents similar tragedies.
“If there are others that play a part in him getting the alcohol, serving it to him, making a profit from the sale of that alcohol, then him getting behind a car, going the wrong way on the toll road, they need to be held accountable too. Because you know what? Maybe it will prevent them from doing it the next time,” Aldous said.