The widow of a former New Fortress Information pressman who died in a head-on collision Could 4 is searching for damages in opposition to the motive force who killed him and in opposition to three New Fortress taverns that reportedly served her alcohol that evening.
State police in Butler County final month charged Kassandra Marie Clyde, 25, of Fombell, with murder by car whereas driving underneath the affect, aggravated assault by car, driving underneath the affect with a blood alcohol depend of 0.16 % or better, careless driving, failure to maintain proper and disregarding visitors lanes.
James Barge, 65, was killed immediately within the crash on Route 422 close to the Butler County Fairgrounds in Butler County, which occurred round 1:15 a.m. He had been a longtime worker of the New Fortress Information and West Penn Printing.
State police reported Clyde was going east and Barge was westbound on his manner residence from work on the Butler Eagle when Clyde’s Honda CRV crossed the middle line of the freeway and hit Barge’s Toyota head-on.
Clyde reportedly suffered a severe damage and was transported by Butler Ambulance Service to Allegheny Basic Hospital. She had since been discharged and was arraigned on her costs on Oct. 5 and was freed on an unsecured bond of $500,000, awaiting a Dec. 13 preliminary listening to.
In the meantime, Lisa Barge, Barge’s widow and executrix of his property, has filed a civil lawsuit in opposition to Clyde and in opposition to Kelly’s Aspect Door Tavern at 1403 Outdated Butler Highway, the Branding Iron Bar & Grille Inc. at 2221 Route 422 West, and the City and Nation Bar & Grill Inc. at 203 Hillsville Highway.
A criticism was filed on behalf of Barge within the Butler County Courtroom of Widespread Pleas by the regulation agency of Lutz, Pawk and Black of Butler. The lawsuit alleges that Clyde entered Kelly’s, the Branding Iron and City and Nation and was served alcoholic drinks, regardless of her having been visibly and noticeably intoxicated, and that she drove a car after leaving there, which led to the accident.
In response to information outlined within the case, Clyde had met a good friend at Kelly’s round 6 p.m. that evening and drank three combined drinks and two photographs of tequila. She and her buddies left there round 9 p.m. and went to the Branding Iron, the place Clyde drank further combined alcohol drinks, the criticism alleges. Whereas there, she grew to become loud and argumentative and combative, and reportedly left there after about 45 minutes due to an argument, the paperwork states.
She and her good friend then went to the City & Nation, the place she drank beer and was loud and argumentative, the criticism states. She left that bar round midnight, then she and her good friend stopped at Sheetz to purchase meals, then drove towards Butler on Route 422, which was when she crossed the middle line and hit Barge’s automotive head-on. He suffered blunt drive trauma to the top, neck, trunk, pelvis and extremities. He was carrying a seat belt, in keeping with the police report.
The criticism alleges Clyde’s blood alcohol degree was 0.243 %, greater than 3 times the authorized restrict. Barge is searching for damages by way of a jury trial within the case, claiming that Clyde’s conduct was negligent, reckless, willful, wanton and outrageous and he or she was driving in careless disregard.
The criticism additionally contends the three tavern operators knew or ought to have identified Clyde was visibly intoxicated when she was served the alcoholic drinks they usually have been negligent by not refusing to serve her.
It additional states that Barge’s dying disadvantaged his beneficiaries of companionship, society and assist and luxury they might have obtained from the remainder of his pure life. It additionally claims damages for the aware ache and struggling, emotional misery and all lack of life’s pleasures suffered by Barge and that the property has been disadvantaged of the financial worth of his life throughout his life expectancy interval.
The lawsuit along with damages is searching for prices and attorneys’ charges within the case.
Barge had labored as a pressman for the New Fortress Information and its printing firm, West Penn Printing, for just a few many years, following within the footsteps of his father, Russell D. Barge, who died Could 14 final 12 months. The elder Barge had been a pressman on the New Fortress Information for 43 years.
James Barge extra not too long ago was employed on the Butler Eagle newspaper and was solely days away from his retirement when the crash claimed his life. He beforehand had labored at The Youngstown Vindicator and Wall Avenue Journal in press operations.
Clyde had been arrested by Zelienople police in April of 2002 for driving underneath the affect, and he or she accepted accelerated rehabilitative disposition for a DUI cost. She accomplished this system as of April 19 this 12 months, in keeping with Butler County court docket information. The district lawyer’s workplace of Butler County had filed a petition for expungement of her document solely days earlier than the accident occurred.
She is to be thought-about harmless till confirmed responsible or adjudicated of the latest costs and lawsuit in court docket.
