New Jersey Restaurant Loses License, Pays Fine for Liquor Liability Fatality

Under what are known as “dram shop” laws, bar and restaurant owners in New Jersey can be held liable for injuries caused by someone who was either visibly intoxicated when served, or who was served sufficient quantities that would reasonably lead to intoxication. A popular New Jersey restaurant has learned the hard way about the consequences of violating the state’s dram shop laws—Martell’s Tiki Bar, in Point Pleasant Beach, lost its liquor license for a month and paid a half million dollar fine in the aftermath of the death of a patron in 2013.

According to witnesses, Ashley Chieco, of Woodridge, consumed a large quantity of alcohol at Martell’s on August 16, 2013. Witnesses at the restaurant say she was visibly inebriated when she left the bar. According to police, Chieco was so drunk that she left the restaurant in the wrong car—she drove away in a stranger’s car that valet parking officials brought her. Shortly after departing, she turned the wrong way onto a one-way street and collided head-on with Dana Corrar, 57, of Old Bridge. Corrar survived, but required nine surgeries and can no longer work.

A spokesperson for Martell’s said that they have learned their lesson and have imposed a number of new procedures to prevent a similar situation in the future. The bar will require two forms of identification for anyone under the age of 25 and said at least one form must be a picture ID. Furthermore, if the ID presented is altered in any way, a second photo ID may be required.

Contact Our Office

If you or someone you love has been injured in New Jersey because of someone else’s negligence, we can help you seek full and fair compensation for your losses. For a private meeting with experienced personal injury attorneys, contact us online or call our offices, in New Brunswick at 732-247-3600 or in Somerville at 908-448-2560.