Lexington bar accused of over-serving driver who caused fatal crash

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Police say a Lexington bar over-served a man who caused a fatal crash on I-75 that killed him and a Michigan family.

Joey Lee Bailey, of Georgetown, was driving the wrong way on the interstate when he hit an SUV head-on, causing the SUV to catch fire.

All five members of the Abbas family, 42-year-old Issam Abbas, 38-year-old Rima Abbas, and their children, 14-year-old Ali Abbas, 13-year-old Isabella Abbas and 7-year-old Giselle Abbas were all killed.

Police accuse Horseshoes Kentucky Grill & Saloon at 1987 North Broadway of giving Bailey alcohol when he was already under the influence.

The Lexington Alcoholic Beverage Control Office gave notice this week to the bar for an allegedly violating the law by selling alcoholic beverages to someone who was already under the influence.

According to a toxicology report from the Fayette County Coroner’s Office, Bailey had a blood alcohol level nearly four times the legal limit at the time of the crash.

Investigators say they found evidence Bailey had been drinking at Horseshoes and another bar outside of Lexington the night of the crash on January 6, 2019.

After leaving Horseshoes, police say they believe Bailey drove his 2015 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck onto the northbound lanes of I-75 beginning at the 113 mile marker.

Several motorists reported passing or avoiding Bailey as he drove the wrong way, according to police.

Police say Bailey was driving at speeds of 70-80 miles per hour when he hit the Abbas family’s Cadillac Escalade.

A pre-hearing conference between the Lexington ABC office and Horseshoes is scheduled for February 19.

A separate investigation by Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control is ongoing, according to police.