Houston, Texas — The family of the late NFL player D.J. Hayden has become involved in a legal battle, claiming a local restaurant’s negligence led to a tragic car accident. This fatal incident, which occurred last year, claimed the lives of seven individuals, including Hayden. The lawsuit asserts that the driver responsible for the crash, Christian Herrera, was excessively served alcohol at the establishment known as “Thirteen” before the accident took place.
According to the claim filed earlier this month, staff at Thirteen provided Herrera with alcohol to the point of severe intoxication on November 11, 2023. Shortly thereafter, Herrera reportedly sped through a red light at the intersection of Fannin Street and Pierce Street, crashing into another vehicle. This collision resulted in the deaths of Hayden and six others, one of whom was a pedestrian nearby.
The restaurant Thirteen is notably owned by James Harden, the former point guard for the Houston Rockets. As of this report, representatives for the restaurant have not publicly responded to the accusations detailed in the lawsuit.
The victims of this tragic event include former University of Houston football players Ralph Oragwu and Zachary McMillian, alongside Hayden. This has cast a shadow over the local community, given their recognition in the area.
Details of the lawsuit reveal that Herrera had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.139 at the time of the crash, significantly above the legal limit. The legal documents detail alleged failures by the restaurant’s staff, including inadequate monitoring and recording of the amount of alcohol served to Herrera.
The initial lawsuit related to this incident was filed by the family of Taylar Jackson, another victim who died from injuries sustained in the accident. Jackson’s mother initiated legal proceedings on December 9, demanding accountability from the establishment for the consequences of serving Herrera beyond reasonable limits.
Representatives for James Harden and Thirteen released a statement expressing condolences to the families affected by the calamity but highlighted that they were only recently made aware of the legal filing. They requested patience from the public as they gather more information and stated their plans to address the matter formally once more details are available.
This ongoing case has provoked discussions on the responsibilities of establishments serving alcohol and the implications of negligence within such venues.
As this legal situation unfolds, the community and the families continue to mourn the profound loss brought by that night’s tragic events, with the hope that such a disaster never occurs again.
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