Date: 05-29-2013

Case Style: Estates of Patrick Petti and Barbara A. Warren v. James M. Black and Riverview Country Club

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Court: Court of Common Pleas, Northampton County, Pennsylvania

Plaintiff's Attorney: Kevin Marciano

Defendant's Attorney: Brian Boyle for Black

Richard Wickersham for Riverview

Description: The Estates of Patrick Petti, age 46, and Barbara A. Warren, age 49, sued James M. Black and Riverview Country Club on negligence wrongful death and Dramshop Act theories claiming that they were injured and/or damaged in a fatal car wreck in Northampton County caused by Black as a direct result of driving while intoxicated. The Plaintiffs claim claimed that Defendant Riverview Country Club negligently serving Black alcohol when he was visibly intoxicated. The accident occurred on Route 611 in Easton, Pennsylvania 2008. The decedents were riding a motorcycle that was hit by Black's pickup.

The Plaintiffs conceded that while Black is mostly responsible for the crash, but that the golf club should bear some blame for the deaths as well. Black had a BAC of .16 at the time of the crash, twice the legal limit, he said. The bartender at the Sand Trap Pub, the country club's bar, should have cut Black off for being visibly intoxicated.

The defenses asserted by the Riverview are not available.

Black took responsibility for the accident and was sentenced to a five- to 10-year prison sentence for his crime.

Outcome: Plaintiffs' verdict finding Black 100% at fault for causing the accident and resulting harm. Damages are yet to be decided.

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Defendant's Experts:

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