Irving, TX – On December 12, 2025, at approximately 2:57 a.m., an Irving Police Investigator responded to a major accident on westbound SH-114 near Esters Road. A red Porsche SUV had collided with a guardrail, leaving the passenger, Sean O’Neill, with a broken wrist, multiple fractured ribs, and a traumatic brain injury. O’Neill, who is Passariello’s boyfriend, was transported to a local hospital and remains in critical condition.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with the driver, Sara Passariello, who is also the registered owner of the vehicle. Passariello exhibited signs of intoxication, including glassy eyes, rapid and repetitive speech, and the odor of an alcoholic beverage. She initially told investigators that she and her boyfriend had been coming from a Christmas party. However, her story changed multiple times, later stating they had visited the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, attended a friend’s Christmas party, and went to Park House club in Highland Park before the crash. Investigators noted that her timeline was off by roughly five hours from the actual time of the accident.
Passariello admitted to consuming three glasses of Champagne earlier that evening. Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) were conducted, which showed additional signs of impairment. Investigators determined that she was driving while intoxicated to the point of losing the normal use of her mental or physical faculties, which directly contributed to the serious injuries of her passenger.
She refused to voluntarily provide a blood specimen, prompting the signing of a blood draw search warrant by Judge Downes, which was executed at Baylor Irving. Results of the blood test are pending.
Authorities have charged Passariello with Intosication Assault with a Vehicle causing Serious Bodily Injury. The investigation remains ongoing.
