Alleged intoxicated driver hits brick monument with plaintiff passenger in car. $6M. Riverside County.

Facts and Background

• Facts and Background:

  Defendant driver attended the weekly “Thirsty Thursday” event at the Hideaway Country Club in La Quinta before he chose to drive a woman back to her home. Before the two left, a fellow club guest, allegedly noticing their impaired state, offered to drive them home. 

  Instead of accepting a ride from the fellow club guest, he instructed the plaintiff, a valet at the club, to follow him in defendant’s vehicle while defendant drove the intoxicated woman home in her own vehicle. The plaintiff was a valet at Hideaway Country Club, who did as requested and followed defendant, driving defendant's 2013 Maserati Granturismo back to the woman’s house. After dropping her off, defendant told plaintiff to get in the passenger seat so that defendant could drive him back to the country club.

  On the drive back, defendant suddenly, and without warning, accelerated the Maserati to over three times the posted 25-mile-per hour speed limit. Defendant lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a stationary brick monument as he entered a curve. The impact was so severe that the monument sheared through the passenger door, ripping off the rear wheel and deploying all airbags.

• Plaintiff's Contentions:

  That defendant was driving drunk and at a reckless speed in a residential neighborhood. That defendant clearly chose to prioritize his entertainment over the safety of those around him.  That after the collision, defendant left the plaintiff in the mangled Maserati, and ran into the clubhouse to get crackers from the kitchen staff because he was “shaken up” and according to him, his “stomach was upset.”

   

• Defendant's Contentions:

  Defendant denied that he was intoxicated.

  Defendant also contended that plaintiff was at fault for his injuries because he was not wearing his seatbelt, and that plaintiff did not have a traumatic brain injury.