A Denver bar has been named in a wrongful death suit following the DUI-related death of a Colorado State Trooper. Brooklyn’s Bar near Sports Authority Field has been sued by the husband of Officer Jaimie Jursevics, who was killed last November by retired Army Colonel Eric Henderson.
As the Denver Post reports, Brooklyn’s Bar is accused of serving Henderson while he was visibly intoxicated. Henderson was with friends when he went to Brooklyn’s Bar after a Denver Broncos game. Later, Henderson struck and killed Jursevics on Interstate 25 as she tried to wave him down for suspicion of drunk driving. Henderson drove on and even tried to remove bottles from his car.
He later pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide under the influence and tampering with evidence. Following the crash, his blood alcohol concentration was found to be 0.199, nearly four times the legal limit.
Colorado's Dram Shop Law
"Dram Shop" laws allow venues that serve alcohol—in some cases—to be held liable in civil cases where damages occur due to drunk driving. In this case, the wrongful death suit reads: "While at Brooklyn’s, Defendant Henderson was willfully and knowingly sold or served alcoholic beverages by Brooklyn’s employees while he was visibly intoxicated. Defendant Henderson ultimately left Brooklyn’s and drove southbound on I-25."
While Brooklyn's Bar faces no criminal charges in this matter, their involvement in this case is a testament to how seriously the state of Colorado takes drunk driving cases—especially when there has been a loss of life. Henderson is currently awaiting sentencing on two felony convictions.
If you or a loved one has been accused of drunk driving or a DUI-related offense, then your choice in legal counsel can have a direct effect on the outcome of your case. At Orr Law Firm, our knowledgeable Denver DUI defense lawyers are well-versed in how prosecutors approach these cases and how to identify the shortcomings in their allegations against the accused.
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