Off-Duty Border Patrol Agent Arrested for DWI at Laredo Truck Stop: What Beaumont Drivers Need to Know
When a Law Enforcement Officer Breaks the Law Behind the Wheel
It was supposed to be a routine stop at the Fuel America Truck Stop on Mines Road in Laredo. But for 38-year-old Harley Quesada—an off-duty Border Patrol agent—what happened next would change everything. Around 6:19 p.m. on Monday, February 18, 2026, Laredo Police Department officers responded to a call about an intoxicated person inside the truck stop. What they found was a man stumbling, speaking with slurred speech, and clearly under the influence. Quesada was arrested on the spot for driving while intoxicated.
The irony? This wasn’t just any driver. Quesada is a federal law enforcement officer—a Border Patrol agent—tasked with upholding the law. Yet here he was, arrested for the same offense that claims thousands of lives on Texas highways every year. After posting a $1,500 bond, he was released the next day. But the consequences of his actions could ripple far beyond a night in jail.
For drivers in Beaumont and across Southeast Texas, this case is a stark reminder: drunk driving doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter if you’re a trucker, a law enforcement officer, or an everyday commuter—alcohol and driving don’t mix. And when an 18-wheeler or commercial vehicle is involved, the stakes are even higher.
At Attorney911, we’ve seen firsthand how DWI accidents devastate families. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent over 25 years fighting for victims of drunk driving crashes—including those involving commercial vehicles. This case raises critical questions about accountability, employer responsibility, and what happens when those sworn to protect us become the danger on the road.
The Legal Fallout: What Happens Next?
Criminal Charges and Consequences
Quesada faces a DWI charge, which in Texas is a serious offense. Even a first-time DWI can result in:
– Up to 180 days in jail
– Fines up to $2,000
– License suspension for up to 1 year
– Mandatory alcohol education programs
– Installation of an ignition interlock device
For a law enforcement officer, the consequences could be even more severe. A DWI conviction could mean:
– Termination from his job
– Loss of law enforcement certification
– Difficulty finding future employment in law enforcement or security
Civil Liability: Could Victims Sue?
If Quesada had caused an accident while driving drunk, the civil liability would be significant. Victims could pursue claims against:
1. Quesada personally – For negligence and reckless conduct
2. His employer (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) – Under respondeat superior if he was acting within the scope of his employment or if they knew about his drinking
3. The truck stop (Fuel America) – If they served alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person (Texas Dram Shop Act)
Key Legal Principles at Play:
– Negligence: Driving while intoxicated is a clear breach of the duty of care owed to other drivers.
– Negligence Per Se: Violating Texas DWI laws creates a presumption of negligence.
– Respondeat Superior: Employers can be liable for employees’ actions, even off-duty, if they’re related to their job duties or if the employer knew about the behavior.
– Dram Shop Liability: Businesses that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons can be held liable for resulting accidents.
Precedent Cases: What Courts Have Ruled in Similar Cases
While this case is still unfolding, similar incidents have led to significant legal consequences. Here are a few landmark cases that demonstrate the potential liability:
1. Le v. Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Co. (2012)
- Case: A drunk driver caused a fatal accident. The victim’s family sued the driver’s employer under respondeat superior.
- Ruling: The Texas Supreme Court ruled that employers can be liable for off-duty employees’ actions if the conduct is related to their job duties or if the employer knew about the behavior.
- Why It Matters: If Quesada’s employer knew about his drinking habits, they could face liability if he had caused an accident.
2. F.F.P. Operating Partners, L.P. v. Duenez (2007)
- Case: A bar served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated patron who later caused a fatal accident. The victim’s family sued under the Texas Dram Shop Act.
- Ruling: The Texas Supreme Court upheld the Dram Shop Act, allowing liability for businesses that serve alcohol to intoxicated patrons.
- Why It Matters: If the Fuel America Truck Stop served Quesada alcohol while he was already intoxicated, they could be liable for any accidents he caused.
3. Walmart Stores, Inc. v. Cockrell (2001)
- Case: A Walmart employee was involved in a drunk driving accident while off-duty. The victim sued Walmart, alleging negligent hiring and supervision.
- Ruling: The court ruled that employers can be liable for negligent hiring if they fail to conduct proper background checks or ignore red flags.
- Why It Matters: If Quesada’s employer failed to address prior incidents or complaints about his drinking, they could face similar liability.
4. *Nuclear Verdicts in DWI Trucking Cases
Recent years have seen a surge in nuclear verdicts—jury awards exceeding $10 million—in cases involving drunk commercial drivers. For example:
– $462 Million Verdict (2024, Missouri): A jury awarded $462 million to the families of two men decapitated in an underride collision caused by a drunk truck driver.
– $160 Million Verdict (2024, Alabama): A jury awarded $160 million to a quadriplegic victim of a rollover accident caused by a drunk truck driver.
– $730 Million Verdict (2021, Texas): A Texas jury awarded $730 million in a case involving a drunk truck driver who caused a fatal accident.
These verdicts show that juries are increasingly willing to hold drunk drivers—and their employers—fully accountable for the devastation they cause.
What This Means for Beaumont Drivers
The Risks on Our Highways
Beaumont sits at the heart of Southeast Texas’s trucking corridors, including:
– I-10: One of the busiest freight routes in the country, connecting Houston to Louisiana
– US-90: A major east-west route for commercial traffic
– US-69/287: Connecting Beaumont to East Texas and beyond
These highways see thousands of commercial vehicles daily—trucks, tankers, and law enforcement vehicles alike. The same risks that led to Quesada’s arrest exist right here in our community.
Key Dangers for Beaumont Drivers:
1. Impaired Commercial Drivers: Whether it’s a trucker, a law enforcement officer, or a delivery driver, impaired commercial drivers pose a catastrophic risk to smaller vehicles.
2. Fatigue and Alcohol: The combination of fatigue and alcohol is deadly. A tired driver who has had even one drink is far more impaired than they realize.
3. Employer Negligence: When employers fail to monitor their drivers’ behavior—whether through drug testing, supervision, or background checks—they put everyone on the road at risk.
4. Truck Stop Culture: The same truck stops that serve Beaumont drivers can become ground zero for impaired driving if alcohol is served irresponsibly.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
-
Stay Alert on the Road
– Be extra cautious around truck stops, rest areas, and late-night traffic
– Watch for erratic driving behavior (swerving, sudden braking, inconsistent speeds)
– Give commercial vehicles plenty of space—they need more room to stop -
Report Suspected Impaired Drivers
– If you see a driver who appears impaired, call 911 immediately
– Provide the vehicle description, license plate, and location
– Never attempt to confront the driver yourself -
Know Your Rights After an Accident
– If you’re involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, call the police immediately
– Document everything—photos, witness statements, driver information
– Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine
– Do NOT give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance
– Contact an attorney before signing anything or accepting a settlement -
Understand the Legal Process
– Statute of Limitations: In Texas, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
– Comparative Negligence: Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you’re found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages. If you’re 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
– Insurance Limits: Commercial vehicles are required to carry minimum liability insurance of $750,000—far higher than personal auto policies.
The Bottom Line: This Case Is a Wake-Up Call
Harley Quesada’s arrest is more than just a headline. It’s a wake-up call for every driver in Beaumont and across Texas. When those entrusted with public safety break the law, the consequences can be devastating—not just for them, but for innocent families on the road.
At Attorney911, we’ve seen the life-altering injuries that result from drunk driving accidents:
– Traumatic brain injuries that leave victims unable to work or care for themselves
– Spinal cord injuries that cause permanent paralysis
– Amputations that change lives in an instant
– Wrongful death that leaves families shattered
We’ve also seen how trucking companies, employers, and insurance adjusters try to avoid responsibility—offering lowball settlements, blaming victims, and destroying evidence.
But we know how to fight back.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver—whether it’s a commercial vehicle, a law enforcement officer, or an everyday commuter—you don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to help.
🚨 Don’t Let Them Get Away With It
The trucking companies, the employers, the insurance adjusters—they’re all hoping you don’t know your rights. They’re hoping you’ll accept their lowball offer and go away.
But we won’t let that happen.
At Attorney911, we’ve spent 25+ years fighting for victims like you. We know their tactics. We know how to win. And we’re ready to fight for you.
Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. Your future starts with one call.
⚖️ Justice Starts Here
Harley Quesada’s arrest is a reminder that no one is above the law—not even those sworn to uphold it. But justice doesn’t happen by accident. It takes experienced attorneys, aggressive investigation, and a relentless commitment to holding the powerful accountable.
At Attorney911, that’s exactly what we do.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident involving a drunk driver, call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re ready to fight for you.