On January 23, 2007, an out-of-control, off-duty New Jersey cop on a drinking spree, was heading home in his Jeep Cherokee, when he rammed a vehicle, killing a 2-year-old boy and severely brain-injuring the boys mother.
He had spent part of that day at Madison Square Garden, attending an NCAA game. By his own testimony he had between 10 and 12 beers there. He had 3-4 beers pre-game, at a place called "Stich Bar". He had two beers in his pocket when he entered MSG. When he left Manhattan in his Jeep, with a buddy in tow, they stopped for another "one or two" at a "dive bar". After dropping the friend off at his home, he stopped at yet another bar to buy a six-pack.
Soon after, around 11:00 p.m., he sped onto the Pulaski Skyway (NJ) and hit the victims car.
Plaintiff's attorneys alleged that MSG's CEO Hank Ratner, and facilities executive, Tim Hassert, had encouraged their vendors "to increase alcohol sales", and "recklessly" allowed them to continue to pour beers for visibly affected patrons.
No surprise, the Garden said that it does not serve visibly drunk patrons.
Nevertheless, NYorkPost.com reported on November 8, 2010, that MSG's insurer is said to be paying upwards of $8 million as settlement. That figure happens to have been the cost of caring for the severely injured mother until her death in March, 2010, after three years in a vegetative state.
The cop is now serving eight years in a New Jersey prison for vehicular manslaughter.
