Posted On: February 22, 2007
Florida Car Accident Focuses on Underage Drinking
The Central Florida family of a teenager killed last summer in a motorcycle crash is trying to prevent underage drinking. By suing the motorcycle driver and the couple who hosted a "going-off-to-college" party before the wreck, the family may help protect injuries to others.
For certain, this personal injury lawsuit is fueling efforts by local lawmakers and the advocacy group Mothers Against Drunk Driving to create stiffer penalties for those who host house parties that include underage drinking. This case involves the death of 19-year-old Jaclyn Bien, of Bradenton, and left driver Ricky Lee Rowell, 20, in critical condition.
According to information, before the crash, Rowell was drinking at a house party in the area. Rowell's blood alcohol level was above the legal .08 limit to drive in Florida, according to Florida Highway Patrol. The parents of Jaclyn Bien filed the suit against Rowell and the Librizzis in Manatee County Florida.
According to the complaint, the Librizzis "willfully furnished or negligently made alcoholic beverages available to decedent, Jaclyn Bien, and to many other persons" including Ricky Rowell. It further alleged that the Librizzis hosted the party and knew all the party's guests were not old enough to drink.
Unfortunately this is another example of underage drinking taking the innocent lives of so many of our children and young adults. Perhaps lawsuits like this will bring more needed attention to this growing problem in our community. For its part, MADD is working with legislators to create steeper punishments for those who provide alcohol to minors at parties. Currently, serving alcohol to minors at an open house party in Florida constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor. That means a person convicted of the crime can spend no more than 60 days in jail. That may change, in part, due to this tragedy.
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