Police: Lexington bar admits to overserving driver before fatal crash

LEXINGTON, KY. (WTVQ) – The Lexington Police Department says a bar has admitted it overserved a driver who was later involved in a wrong-way crash that killed a family of five.

Police say the Lexington Alcoholic Beverage Control Office finalized a plea agreement Tuesday with Horseshoes Kentucky Grill & Saloon.

According to the agreement, Horseshoes Grill & Saloon pleaded guilty to a charge of serving an intoxicated person.

Horseshoes must pay a $10,000 fine and is suspended from serving alcohol for ten days, according to police.

The suspension will run May 17 – May 26, 2019.

Additionally, all Horseshoes Kentucky Grill & Saloon employees must undergo retraining and certification on responsible alcohol service.

On the same day as the plea agreement, a lawsuit was filed in Fayette Circuit Court against Horseshoes Kentucky Grill & Saloon and Roosters Wings in Georgetown in connection to the January 6 crash.

The lawsuit alleges Horseshoes and Roosters Wings served Joey Lee Bailey, despite obvious signs of intoxication.

According to police, after leaving Horseshoes Grill & Saloon on January 6, 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.

Bailey’s estate is also named in the lawsuit.