A recently filed lawsuit alleged that Captain Jack’s Bar and Grill’s negligence contributed to the death of a youth pastor in Washington. Specifically, the estate of Samuel Stephens claims that Captain Jack’s Bar and Grill over served alcohol to Joseph McNeil and subsequently allowed him to operate a vehicle.
On September 5, 2010, Joseph McNeil consumed alcohol in excess of the legal limit at Captain Jack’s Bar and Grill. As the lawsuit explains, “over the course of many hours, owners and/or employees of [Captain Jack’s Bar and Grill] . . . sold numerous alcoholic beverages that were consumed by defendant McNeil.” Despite McNeil’s inebriated condition, he departed in the early morning hours of September 6, 2010. While McNeil was operating his vehicle, he crossed the center line into the oncoming lane of traffic and collided into Samuel Stephens, killing him. Samuel Stephens was engaged to be married and employed by a church at the time.
Stephens’ family alleged Captain Jack’s Bar and Grill failed to “properly instruct, educate and supervise [its] employees.” Although nothing can replace Stephens, the family hopes that holding Captain Jack’s Bar and Grill responsible and accountable will deter other bars from over-serving and thus prevent accidents like this in the future.