27-03-2025
Wrongful death lawsuit follows deadly motorcycle crash
NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. — A southwest Missouri man filed a wrongful death lawsuit six months after his daughter died in an alleged drunk driving crash.
Dearman Bridgett is suing Frank's Lounge and the driver of the motorcycle his daughter was on at the time of the crash.
Officials say DeeDee Bridgett, 43, died on September 25, 2024 from injuries she sustained when she was thrown from a motorcycle driven by Andrew Brill.
The lawsuit claims Frank's Lounge on South Main Street in Joplin, continued serving alcohol to Brill when he was visibly intoxicated.
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It's filed under a law that allows individuals to hold establishments liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons or guests they served alcohol to, particularly if they were visibly intoxicated.
Brill is charged with DWI in the death of another, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. Police say fire personnel removed a loaded handgun from Brill's person before put him in the ambulance.
Court records show his blood alcohol level was 0.12 at the time of the crash.
Officers say Brill was driving his motorcycle nearly 80 mph down Main Street when he slammed into a Toyota 4-Runner.
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