Houston Bar Sued for Overserving Alcohol to Intoxicated Driver

In March 2020, civil lawsuits were filed against a Cypress area bar, World Of Beer, for personal injury and wrongful death claims arising out of a deadly intoxication related crash that occurred on January 27, 2020 in Harris County, Texas.

According to the lawsuits, on January 26, 2020 Zachary Castro was a patron at World of Beer in Cypress, Harris County, Texas. Castro, who was also employed as the bar manager for that location, was served alcoholic beverages by employees, even after he exhibited very obvious signs of intoxication. According to Castro, he consumed six beers and four shots at World of Beer before getting behind the wheel of his pick-up truck shortly after midnight on January 27, 2020.

Castro was driving south on Barker Cypress Road at more than twice the posted speed limit when he veered onto the shoulder of the road and struck a Nissan Altima and several individuals, that had pulled over to assist a disabled vehicle in the ditch. The driver of the Nissan Altima, 23 year old Mayra Ospina, and her boyfriend Luis Ramirez, were outside of their vehicle heading to assist the stranded motorists when Castro drove his truck into them, and another couple who had also stopped to assist.

Mayra Ospina was unconscious but breathing when EMS arrived and transported her to Ben Taub hospital. Ms. Ospina was in critical condition at Ben Taub hospital for several days before doctors declared her brain dead. Zachary Castro was subsequently indicted for three charges of Intoxication Assault causing Serious Bodily Injury for Ramirez and the other couple who were struck by his vehicle, and one charge of Intoxication Manslaughter for causing the death of Mayra Ospina.

The injured parties and the family of Ospina have filed various civil lawsuits against World of Beer, stating its employees were negligent by continuing to serve alcohol to Castro and further allowing him to leave the premises in his own vehicle when he was clearly a danger to himself and others, and the bar should be held liable for their actions. The plaintiffs seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain and suffering, and mental anguish.

If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of an intoxicated driver, contact the experienced attorneys at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner at (713) 222-7211 or toll free at 713-222-7211.