Judge Dismisses Crash Suit Against Dogfish Head Alehouse

Md. law does not find restaurants and bars liable in fatal crashes

A judge in Montgomery County determined Dogfish Head Alehouse in Gaithersburg, Md., cannot be held liable for a 2008 crash that killed a 10-year-old girl.

The Warr family filed a $3.25 million suit in December 2010 against the restaurant, holding it partly responsible for a fatal crash involving one of its patrons.

Michael Eaton reportedly had 17 beers and a shot of alcohol before he got into his Range Rover and crashed into a Jeep on Interstate 270, killing Jazimen Warr and injuring her sister.

According to the Gazette, Dogfish Head cannot be found responsible because state law does not hold restaurants that serve alcohol to drivers involved in fatal crashes liable.

The judge issued his decision Friday in favor of the defendant. He wrote in his decision that the state's Court of Appeals should consider the case, reported the Gazette.

An attorney representing the Warr family told the Gazette they will file an appeal.

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