Lawsuit filed against two bars for DUI crash that killed family

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Relatives of a Michigan family killed by a drunk driver on I-75 earlier this year are suing two Lexington-area bars, accusing both of over-serving the driver.

The lawsuit was filed in Fayette Circuit Court against Horseshoes Kentucky Grill & Saloon in Lexington and Roosters Wings in Georgetown, along with the estate of the driver, Joey Lee Bailey.

It alleges the bars served Bailey drinks, despite obvious signs of intoxication.

The lawsuit says Bailey was served at least two 22-ounce beers and three double White Russians at Roosters. He then drove to Horseshoes, where he was also served at least one beer and four additional double White Russians.

According to Lexington police, after leaving Horseshoes on January 6 around 2:30 a.m., Bailey drove southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate-75 for about six miles before crashing his pickup truck into the Cadillac Escalade carrying the Abbas family.

The crash killed 42-year-old Issam Abbas, 38-year-old Dr. Rima Abbas, and their children, 14-year-old Ali, 13-year-old Isabella, and 7-year-old Giselle.

Bailey was also killed.

The lawsuit cites a report by the Fayette County Coroner’s Office that states Bailey’s blood alcohol level was .306 – over three times the legal limit.

Following the crash, Lexington Alcoholic Beverage Control began an investigation into Horseshoes.

“For the surviving family members, as well as for their many friends left behind, the nightmare and grief caused by that crash will never go away,” said Greg Bubalo, an attorney representing the Abbas family said in a statement. “By filing the lawsuit, the family hopes to hold those responsible accountable and ensure that this type of tragedy does not occur to another family. This is a second time fatalities have been alleged to have resulted from over-serving alcohol by Horseshoes.”

The attorney says Abbas’ relatives are seeking an unstated amount for damages and that a portion of any proceeds from the lawsuit will be placed into a charitable trust – The Abbas Family Red Wagon Fund.