James Eric Burton and James Dewitt Burton, both 61, were born on December 8, 1964 at Hermann Hospital in Houston and later attended Yates High School together. decades after sharing a birthday, James Eric received a notice that his driver’s license was suspended for a DWI he never committed, a mistake traced to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s records.

Hermann Hospital Birth Records Trigger Identity Clash

The coincidence began at birth: both Burtons entered the world at Hermann Hospital on the same day, receiving identical first and last names. as the source reported, this rare overlap set the stage for future administrative confusion, especially when state agencies rely on name and birthdate as primary identifiers.

License Suspension Letter Sent to James Eric in 2023

In early 2023, James Eric Burton was shocked to receive a letter stating his license had been suspended after a guilty plea to a DWI charge. he told ABC 13, “I can’t drive…If I’m stopped, I risk a chance of being arrested.” The source noted that the courts had actually recorded the plea for James Dewitt Burton, not James Eric.

High School Overlap Compounded the Mix‑up

Both men attended Yates High School, and according to the outlet, a teacher once confused their attendance records, allowing James Dewitt to pass despite poor grades. james Dewitt later admitted his “decades‑long criminal history” might have inadvertently harmed James Eric’s reputation, saying, “Most likely, my messing up is messing him up.”

Legal Battle with the Texas Department of Public Safety

James Eric has been forced to use a scooter while the Texas Department of Public Safety works to correct the error. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the mistake and said the correction process is underway, as reported by the source. Yet, the courts maintain that their information is accurate, leaving James Eric without a driver’s license.

Who Will Fix the Records? The Unanswered Administrative Gap

The key unresolved issue is which agency will ultimately reconcile the two separate criminal records.. While the district attorney’s office is involved , the Texas Department of Public Safety must also amend its database. The source indicates that James Dewitt hopes the publicity will prompt officials to reinstate James Eric’s license.