Alan Scher Zagier//October 15, 2024//
The widow of a St. Louis County motorist killed by a drunk driver traveling in the wrong direction on Interstate 70 has settled a wrongful death lawsuit against a Kirkwood bar for $2.1 million — with responsibility for $1 million of that amount still in dispute.
Marian Sharp filed the Missouri Dram Shop Liability Act suit against OTH Inc., doing business as Kirkwood Ice & Fuel Co., over the April 2022 death of her husband Rodney Sharp.
According to the complaint, both Laci Ann Meyer and Sharp were killed instantly after a head-on collision on Interstate 70 east near mile marker 234 and Lambert International Airport in Bridgeton.
Autopsy results showed that Meyer had a blood alcohol content of .237 percent, said plaintiff’s attorney Jim Krispin.
According to Krispin, Meyer and two companions had dinner and drinks at another Kirkwood restaurant/wine bar before relocating to the Ice & Fuel Co. around 11 p.m. that Friday night.
The group left about one hour later, with one member suggesting that Meyer use a rideshare service rather than drive her own car home, Krispin said.
The suit alleged that Kirkwood Ice & Fuel Co. knowingly served a visibly intoxicated patron.
Her companions denied that allegation, the plaintiff’s attorney said, but acknowledged they suggested that she take an Uber home.
Attorneys for the defendant, as well as Meyer and the Kirkwood Ice & Fuel Co., did not respond to a request for comment. Online court records show that a seven-figure settlement was reached in late September, with $1 million each from a liquor liability policy as well an excess commercial liability policy.
Sharp received an additional $100,000 from State Farm — Meyer’s liability policy insurer, and also reached a confidential dispute resolution with One 19 North Tapas & Wine Bar, the first establishment visited by Meyer and her friends, Krispin said.
The settlement agreement, which came two months before the start of a scheduled trial, stipulates that responsibility for the excess liability carrier’s additional $1 million policy limit will be determined by declaratory judgment action pending in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
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- $2.1 million settlement
- Wrongful death
- Venue: St. Louis County Circuit Court
- Case Number/Date:22SL-CC04984/Sept. 23, 2024
- Judge: Circuit Judge John Borbonus
- Plaintiff’s expert: John Brick, Intoxikon International, Yardley, Pennsylvania (toxicology)
- Defendant’s expert: Sarah Riley, St. Louis (toxicology)
- Caption: Miriam Sharp v. OTH, Inc. d/b/a Kirkwood Ice & Fuel Co., Laci Meyer deceased
- Plaintiff’s attorneys: James Krispin (lead), St. Louis; Todd Mandell, St. Louis
- Defendant’s attorneys: Brian McBrearty (lead), Litchfield Cavo, St. Louis (for OTH); Corey Kraushaar, Brown & James, St. Louis (for Kirkwood Ice and Fuel); Jeffrey Suess, Rynearson, Suess, Schnurbusch & Champion (for Meyer)
- Insurance: American Automobile Insurance Co. (for OTH); Scottsdale Insurance Co. (for OTH, excess policy)
This article credit to MOLawyersMedia