HOUSTON – A family filed a lawsuit against a restaurant after a customer died in an alcohol-related crash.
Robert Wilhite, 58, died in a single-vehicle crash in August 2011. Investigators said he lost control of his pickup truck on Cypresswood Drive, hit a curb and was thrown out of the vehicle.
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Shortly before his death, Wilhite was drinking alcohol at Baker Street Pub and Grill on state Highway 249 near Gessner.
Wilhite's family claims that the restaurant should have stopped serving him alcohol.
"Baker Street was negligent in allowing Wilhite to consume alcohol to the point of intoxication," the lawsuit reads. "Wilhite was obviously intoxicated to the extent that he presented a clear danger to himself and others."
The lawsuit puts the responsibility on the managers, bartenders and wait staff.
Wilhite's neighbors said his family was shocked by his death.
"He was a really good guy," neighbor Ken Barker said. "He was in the Boy Scouts and went to the same church we did."
The lawsuit seeks damages for pain and suffering and loss of companionship, but does not specify a dollar amount.
Baker Street Pub is owned by Hospitality USA, which operates several other pubs in the Houston area. No one with the company responded to KPRC Local 2's request for a statement.
A trial date has not been set, but sources close to the case said a settlement is possible.