Like most social events, Christmas parties often create a scenario where wine and beer is often overflowing. After all, holidays are the perfect time to get in the spirit of revelry.

But for some people, a joyful Christmas party turns into a ride from hell as the decision to drink and drive took its heavy and terrible toll.

In San Diego, a man was recently killed over what the authorities believed to be an alcohol-induced crash.

The victim, who was driving a Volkswagen Passat, was driving through an intersection when an Infinity G35 rammed into it from behind.

The impact of the crash blew the gas tank of the VW and caused both cars to go up in flames.

The driver and the passenger of the Infinity were rescued by an employee of UCSD who witnessed the car crash. The driver of the VW, a man from Australia believed to be around the age of 30-40 years old, did not make it out of his car.

According to the police, the driver of the Infiniti, Michael Landri of San Diego was supposedly the designated driver of the vehicle as the passenger was heavily intoxicated.

The police however, arrested the designated driver on suspicion of driving under the influence and is now facing charges of gross vehicular manslaughter among others.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, having a designated driver removes a lot of risks when it comes to impaired driving. People from parties and events can have a safe ride home even if they’re all boozed up as long as they have a designated driver.

But the effort to reduce the dangers of drunk driving through assigning a designated driver is futile if the designated driver is just as intoxicated as the passenger. The whole point of having a sober designated driver is moot and academic if the designated driver was someone who just less to drink than the rest.

If taking a cab ride home is not an option, it would be best to assign a designated driver early on, even before the party starts. That way, the person assigned will have the mindset and responsibility to keep sober throughout the festivities. Because nothing takes the joy out of the holidays more than a drunk driving death.