Boy dies from injuries sustained in '09 drunk driving crash

FORT WORTH - An eight-year-old boy who spent the last six years in a vegetative state after being hit by a drunk driver died Sunday morning, reports CBS DFW.

Abdallah Khader was two-years-old in 2009 when Stewart Richardson, a drunk driver, rear-ended the car the child was traveling in with his family, leaving him with damage to 80 percent of his brain, according to the station.

Since the accident, which took place in Arlington, Abdallah had been in a vegetative state and had to have constant care, reports the station.

Tests reportedly showed Richardson had a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit at the time of the crash.

Since then, Abdallah's family succeeded in getting Abdallah's Law passed, which makes the punishment harsher for those who drive while intoxicated. The family was motivated to seek changes after finding out Richardson had previously been convicted of DWI seven times in four other states, reports the station.

Richard is still awaiting trial in the case. The victim's family had hoped to send Richardson to jail for life, but a judge granted a pre-trial defense motion limiting the punishment to a maximum of 20 years.

The family also sought a civil lawsuit against Richardson and Applebee's. The family believes Richardson was served too much alcohol at Applebee's and left intoxicated before he rear-ended the family.

They sought over $10 million for care for Abdallah's physical needs, loss of earnings, past medical expenses, mental anguish and pain and suffering. Applebee's reportedly settled with the family for an undisclosed amount.