Drunk Driver Overserved at Spartanburg, SC Bar
On February 5, 2021, William Shetley went out drinking with his co-workers in Spartanburg, SC. After visiting a bar and having two beers, he went to RJ Rockers where he consumed more beer, liquor, and whiskey before going on to Main Street Pub to drink some more.
Our team used a combination of receipts, video footage from RJ Rockers, witness testimony, and an expert extrapolation based on Shetley’s BAC at the time of the crash to prove that multiple businesses overserved him alcohol before allowing him to leave the bar and drive drunk on our roadways.
In depositions, bartenders from RJ Rockers discussed their lack of training in safe, responsible alcohol service. One bartender admitted that he did not know whether it was legal to serve an intoxicated person, and another bartender testified that the proof for Jim Beam was roughly equivalent to that of wine, demonstrating a lack of training and understanding.
The Fatal Drunk Driving Crash
After Shetley drank liquor and beer at three different Spartanburg bars, he sped his oversized Dodge truck down the road, driving erratically before illegally passing a vehicle and slamming into our client’s car, killing both men in the car – Christopher and Timothy Jennings. Timothy left behind a wife and five children, and Christopher left behind a wife and three children.
Dram Shop Liability and Wrongful Death Settlement
Our South Carolina injury lawyer and legal team were able to secure full policy limits from the insurance carriers for both bars that overserved Shetley that night. The final settlement came to $7,360,000. Though no amount of money can ever justify the loss of a loving father and husband, this recovery helped bring financial security to both families and will help them face hardships in the years to come.
South Carolina Drunk Driving Injury Lawyers Here to Help You
If you or someone you care about were injured or killed by a drunk driver, our firm is here to help you. We believe that bars and restaurants have a responsibility to serve alcohol responsibly to their patrons, and when they do not follow our laws, they must be held accountable for the harm they cause.
At the Law Office of Kenneth Berger, we approach every case with the same empathy and respect we would want for our own families in the wake of a needless tragedy. We want to get to know our clients, so we can fully understand the impact of their injury and help them recover a full, fair result from the responsible party. And you can count on us to communicate with you every step of the way, so that you are informed about what is going on in your case and we can all determine how best to move forward.