Family of drunk driving victim sues bar that served driver

The death of a 20-year-old man who attended The College of New Jersey has prompted his family to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the Landmark Americana Tap & Grill. The campus sports bar allegedly served a drunk driver shortly before he caused a deadly crash on Route 31.

Court filings for the family claim that the 22-year-old man who drove the vehicle that crossed the center lines and collided with their son’s car drank large amounts of alcohol at the bar. Despite his visible intoxication, staff continued to serve him drinks until he left at about 1:30 a.m. Local authorities have stated that the driver had a blood alcohol content of .239.

As a result of the accident, the bar has been sanctioned by the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The bar’s ownership must follow a consent order that prohibits the bar from serving alcohol after 11 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and stops alcohol sales at 9:15 p.m. on the other days. The business will also cease selling large mixed drinks marketed as fishbowls and buckets of beer.

The man who died in the drunk driving crash was in the hospital for two days before succumbing to his injuries. Medical costs associated with emergency care prior to death might be recoverable in a wrongful death lawsuit. A survivor coping with the loss of a loved one caused by negligent actions may discuss how to pursue damages with an attorney. A legal representative might organize the evidence, look for insurance coverage and seek a settlement to pay for damages like burial costs, loss of companionship and lost household income.

Source: NJ, “Bar on campus agrees to alcohol sanctions after death of student in crash nearby“, Kevin Shea, Jan. 11, 2019

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