FORT SMITH, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — An Arkansas woman is claiming negligence against the drunk driver who allegedly caused her husband's fatal vehicle crash and the bar that served the driver alcohol.
Christine Northern, individually and as administrator of the Estate of Bobby G. Northern, deceased, filed a complaint Feb. 8 in Sebastian County Circuit Court against Red Roper Club LTD, doing business as Electric Cowboy of Fort Smith Inc., MLT Management Inc., Amber Walker and John Does #1-5 alleging negligence Dram Shop liability and other claims.
According to Northern's complaint, Walker was a patron at Fort Smith Electric Cowboy on Aug. 6, 2021. She claims Walker left the bar/dance club in the early morning hours of Aug. 7, 2021, to return to her home in Sprio, Okla., while intoxicated. The plaintiff claims Walker then drove her vehicle across the center median, into the opposite lane of traffic and hit her husband Bobby Northern's vehicle head-on with Northern being pronounced dead at the scene.
She claims Electric Cowboy's negligence for serving Walker alcohol while she was already intoxicated and knowingly allowing her to leave the bar while intoxicated. Northern also claims Walker's negligence for driving while intoxicated, failing to use reasonable care and failing to keep a proper lookout or keep her vehicle under control.
Walker faces manslaughter charges.
Northern seeks monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Bill Reynolds and Spencer Vereen of Caddell Reynolds PA in Fort Smith.