Bar admits overserving man who killed family of 5 in wrong-way crash
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Officials say a Kentucky bar has admitted it overserved a man who later killed a Michigan family of five in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 75.
A statement Wednesday from Lexington police says the city's Alcoholic Beverage Control Office finalized an agreement with Horseshoes Kentucky Grill & Saloon that calls for the establishment to plead guilty to serving an intoxicated person, pay a $10,000 fine and refrain from selling alcohol May 17-May 26.
The bar served 41-year-old Joey Bailey alcoholic drinks when he was already under the influence.
Bailey then drove south in a northbound lane on Interstate 75. He collided with another vehicle, killing himself and the Abbas family in early January.
County Coroner Gary Ginn has said Bailey's blood-alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit.
The crash killed Sam and Dr. Rima Abbas and their three children, 14-year-old Ali, 13-year-old Isabella and 7-year-old Giselle. The family was heading back home from a vacation in Florida.
Security video from a Lexington gas station showed Bailey's truck entering the exit ramp and driving six miles in the wrong direction before the crash.
Relatives of the Abbas family have filed a lawsuit against Horseshoes Kentucky Grill & Saloon and Roosters Wings in Georgetown saying both bars kept serving Bailey, but would've known he was intoxicated.
The Abbas' attorneys are seeking compensation and damages from the bars and Bailey's estate.
Bailey and the entire Abbas family were killed instantly.
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In response to the Abbas family's death, Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell (D) proposed a bill that would install breathalyzers aon all new vehicles. The bill was introduced in the U.S. House on January 11 and was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce committee at the end of January. There has been no movement on the bill since then.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
FOX 2 reported this story from Southfield, Mich.