Police Officer, Bar That Served Her Settle With Families of Victims Killed in Drunk Driving Accident

St. Louis, Missouri—a Sunset Hills police officer and the bar that served her have agreed to pay a total of $2.255 million to the family of four victims who were killed in a drunk driving accident, as well as one injured survivor.

The survivor and the victims’ families brought the wrongful-death lawsuit against Officer Christine L. Miller, who, while off duty, drank a “high quantity” of alcohol at O’ Leary’s Restaurant and Bar and then proceeded to drive into oncoming traffic. The crash occurred at about 1:45 a.m. on March 21, when Miller drove her car into oncoming traffic and collided with a Honda. Four passengers in the vehicle were killed, all under the age of 30. Thankfully, the Honda’s driver survived but sustained a head injury, fractured rib, liver trauma, lung contusions and contusions to the skull.

The suit accused Miller of negligence based on allegations of drunk driving and driving on the wrong side of the road, among other accusations. Police officers also corroborate the drunk driving accusation, stating that Miller’s blood-alcohol level was .169 percent 3 hours after the crash. The family also decided to sue the bar because its “employees knew Miller was intoxicated” but didn’t stop serving her, or call her a cab to get home. Miller is also awaiting trial on manslaughter charges. Moreover, Miller agreed to pay a $255,000 settlement, with $45,000 going to each of the families. O’Leary’s also agreed to pay $2 million, from which the parents will collect an immediate payment of $100,000 and a $186,375 structured settlement for each child in the family.