According to a report from The Kansas City Star, a drunk driver recently struck and killed a woman after reportedly being “over-served” at a bar in Missouri. The driver, 34-year-old Jessica Przygoda of Illinois, is facing felony criminal charges over the incident. A wrongful death lawsuit filed by the victim’s family alleges that Ms. Pryzgoda was over-served at 1356 Public House Bar in Ballwin, MO. Here, our Kansas City DUI accident attorney explains what we know about this case and provides an overview of dram shop laws in the state of Missouri.
Deadly DUI Crash in St. Louis County
Julisa Cannon—a 31-year-old mother from Missouri—was fatally struck by a sport utility vehicle (SUV) while walking home from her job at a Pizza Hut in St. Louis County. The driver of that SUV, Jessica Przygoda, allegedly then fled the scene. She eventually stopped her car on Interstate 44 because of the vehicle damage. A few months later, Ms. Przygoda was arrested and charged with a felony DUI offense. She was reportedly tied to the scene of the fatal crash by police through surveillance footage and physical evidence, such as the victim’s hair embedded in her windshield.
Wrongful Death Allegations: Driver Over-Served at Ballwin, MO Bar
Ms. Cannon’s children are pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against both the driver (Jessica Przygoda) and the bar where she was last served alcohol (1356 Public House Bar in Ballwin, Missouri). The wrongful death lawsuit alleges the bar over-served alcohol to Przygoda, who was allegedly visibly intoxicated, yet continued to be served drinks. The attorneys for the victim argue that the bar failed in its legal duty to cut her off and prevent foreseeable harm. This type of legal claim is now known as a dram shop lawsuit.
An Overview of Dram Shop Laws in Missouri
Missouri’s dram shop law allows victims of drunken misconduct, most notably, intoxicated driving, to hold bars, restaurants, and other alcohol-serving establishments liable under specific circumstances. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 537.053, a bar, restaurant, or similar business may be sued if it:
- “Knowingly” served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or to someone under 21 who later causes injury or death.
To be clear, Missouri law sets a high threshold for proving liability. A plaintiff must show clear evidence that the intoxicated individual displayed visible signs of impairment. Further, they must show that the establishment continued to serve them regardless of that fact. A dram shop liability claim can be pursued simultaneously with a civil claim against the drunk driver.
Contact Our Kansas City Drunk Driving Crash Lawyer Today
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City drunk driving accident attorney is an aggressive, experienced advocate for justice. If you have any questions about DUI crash claims, dram shop laws, or any related legal matter, we are here to help. Call us now or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review. We handle DUI accident claims throughout the wider region in Missouri.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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