$2 Million Verdict Against Drunk Driver and Local Bar

An eight-person jury for Wayne County Circuit Court, Hon. Judge Paul S. Teranes presiding, leveled a $2 million verdict against Jerome Larente and Redford Lanes of Canton Township.

The tragic drunk driving and third-party liability case based on the Liquor Liability Law, centered on the untimely death of 17 year old Judy Rosin, who was killed in a 1995 drunk driving accident that was attributed to the intoxication of Larente and the dispensing of alcohol by the staff of Redford Lanes.

On November 16,1995 at 10:55PM, Judy Rosin, 17 years old, and her sister, Krystal Morgan, then nine years old, were on their way to Meijer in Canton Township when they were hit in a head-on collision on Cherry Hill, west of Denton Road, by Larente who crossed the centerline and was highly intoxicated.

Both girls were taken to St. Joseph Hospital. Krystal Morgan was discharged shortly after the incident. Judy Rosin died two days later and many of her organs were donated. Larente's blood alcohol level, which was taken by police, registered between .17 and .23, exceeding the legal limit of .10.

"This heartbreaking case is an example of what happens when proprietors of bars and restaurants neglect the responsibility they have been given by the State of Michigan to wisely dispense alcohol to their customers," said Lee Turner, attorney at Turner and Turner, P.C. for the plaintiff. "We pray this case sends a strong message to those who think it is OK to drive drunk and those who would serve them and let them leave their premises while intoxicated. After all, friends don't let friends drive drunk."

Survivor Krystal Morgan is now 14 years old and has become a vocal advocate against drunk driving since her sister's death. Visiting local high schools to deliver powerful messages surrounding the issue of drunk driving, Morgan has become an inspiring speaker and mentor to local teens and youth groups. Previously convicted of drunk driving, the defendant, Larente, pled to negligent homicide and will serve 12 to 15 years in state prison.