Father of Five Killed in Wrong-Way Accident on Superbowl Sunday

Arnold & Itkin has filed suit in El Paso, Texas on behalf of the family of a father of five young girls who was overserved at a local bar and lost his life in a wrong-way accident.

On the day of the accident, our client, a 34-year-old husband and father of five, went out to enjoy Superbowl Sunday at Big Lou’s Bar. He became visibly intoxicated, but bar employees continued to serve him alcohol.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has specific laws to protect patrons and the general public from bars and restaurants that put profits over the safety of their customers by overserving intoxicated persons. When a person is “obviously intoxicated” to such a degree that they “present a clear danger” to themselves and others, the establishment that continues to serve them can be held legally responsible for any resulting injuries or property damage (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 2.02). This includes any harm experienced by the overserved customer themselves.

The defendants in this case, Big Lou's Bar owned by defendants Lamp Enterprises, Inc. and West Texas Chophouse owned by named defendants Triple A Restaurants, Inc., failed to abide by TABC regulations, and this failure resulted in the tragic loss of our client’s life. He was overserved and permitted to drive while visibly intoxicated, at which point he consequently drove the wrong way on Highway 601 and was involved in a head-on collision. The accident claimed our client’s life and the life of another person.

Big Lou’s Bar was previously cited for the very same violations when the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission conducted an undercover investigation into the establishment. Instead of permitting that citation to serve as a deterrent for ongoing negligence, however, defendants like Big Lou’s Bar and West Texas Chophouse prioritized profits over the lives of their patrons and the public. Our client paid the price, and his family is now left without a husband and father to care for them.

After tragedies like these, there is nothing that can possibly right the wrong that has been suffered, but our wrongful death attorneys will fight to help our client's wife and daughters get the answers and support they need. We will also work to bring them the peace of mind that comes with seeing at-fault parties held accountable.