The Virginia DWI Blog

Charlie Davies, a striker for D.C. United who was nearly killed in a 2009 automobile collision, has filed a $20 million lawsuit against Das Enterprises, the owner of the Washington, D.C. nightclub that he had been partying at prior to the accident and Red Bull, the host of the event, for negligence that Davies argues contributed to the accident and caused irreparable harm to his career. The lawsuit claims that both companies continued to serve alcohol to Maria Alejandra Espinoza, the driver responsible for the car accident, even after she had begun to show signs of visible intoxication. Davies’ attorney stated that as his client was leaving the club Espinoza and her friend, Ashley Roberta, offered him a ride to his hotel. According to Davies’ lawyer, the soccer player did not have an opportunity to determine whether or not Espinoza had been drinking prior to accepting her offer but that the defendants had a duty to stop serving her once she was drunk and also to attempt to prevent her from operating a vehicle in her state.

Espinoza was sentenced to a two-year prison sentence in March after pleading guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and maiming while driving intoxicated for the one-car accident that claimed the life of Roberta and left Davies with severe injuries that included a ruptured bladder, bleeding on his brain, and fractures to his ribs, face, leg, and elbow. Davies’ lawsuit states that the injuries that were caused by the accident left him with permanent disfigurations and scars and that he will be forced to bear the cost of substantial medical expenses in the future. Moreover, the lawsuit states that the accident rendered him unable to continue playing for the U.S. national team, which also ended his chances of competing at the 2010 World Cup. Despite being a regular player on the U.S. national team prior to the accident, he has not been invited to return since. Davies had been playing for the French club Sochaux before the accident and was loaned to United for one year back in January. Despite being ranked second on the team in terms of the number of goals scored, Davies has understandably been struggling to return to the level of play that he once enjoyed. The parents of Ashley Roberta have reportedly also filed suit against the energy drink company and the owners of the club. Both Red Bull and Das Enterprises were unavailable for comment.

To avoid finding yourself in a position similar to that of Davies, make sure that you and your loved ones have a designated driver selected each time that you go to an event at which there is the potential for alcohol consumption. If you know that you must drive after drinking, show restraint in your drink selections and make sure that you know your own limits. Also, keep in mind that the contents of a typical bottle or can of beer, glass of wine, or liquor drink all contain nearly identical amounts of alcohol. Finally, whether you are hosting an event at your place or you are out on the town, never allow your friends to drive home drunk. Attempt to reason with them first but if they resist, do not feel bad for taking their keys and asking them to stay the night or calling a taxi to send them home.

Although all of these tactics and many more exist in order to help prevent you from driving while drunk, it isn’t always possible to control the actions of the drivers around you. If you have been involved in a drunk driving accident that was out of your control, The Parrish Law Firm’s drunk driving injury attorneys are ready to aggressively fight for your rights against the insurance companies as well as in the court room. If you are interested in receiving a free consultation to discuss your legal options, contact us at – 571-229-1800.

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2. Disney Channel “Hannah Montana” Actor Mitchel Musso Busted for DUI | Virginia DUI Attorney

Tags: Charlie Davies, D.C. United, Das Enterprises, don't drink and drive, drunk driving accident, drunk driving injuries, DUI, involuntary manslaughter, maiming while intoxicated, Maria Alejandra Espinoza, Red Bull $20 million lawsuit