Martell's Sued by Woman Severely Injured in Fatal Car Crash

An attorney for a woman who suffered severe injuries when her car was struck head on by an alleged drunken driver last summer has filed a lawsuit against the Point Pleasant Beach bar where the driver spent the day drinking, according to a story posted on nj.com.

Dana S. Corrar “sustained severe and permanent multiple bodily injuries” and requires long-term hospitalization as a result of the Aug. 16 crash, according to the suit, which was filed Thursday in Middlesex County.

Ashley Chieco, 26, was traveling the wrong way on Route 18 South when she slammed into Corrar, who was driving home about 6 p.m. from her job as a nurse in Ewing Township.

Corrar, 55, broke nearly every bone in her body, underwent multiple surgeries and now lives in an assisted living facility.

Chieco died of her injuries.

A police investigation revealed Chieco spent hours at Martell’s Tiki Bar, downing screwdrivers and vodka shots before stealing a 2011 Hyundai Tucson from a valet parking lot next to the bar.

The Hyundai belonged to Peter and Carolyn Narepecha, who told police they had been instructed by valet staff to leave their keys in the vehicle before spending the day on the beach.

A medical examiner determined Chieco’s blood-alcohol level was over the legal limit for driving at the time of her death.

The suit states Chieco was visibly intoxicated at Martell's and that employees failed to monitor the situation, causing an unreasonable risk of harm to the public and to Corrar.

Martell’s employees “violated and breached their duty owed to the public and also to Plaintiff Dana Corrar not to create a foreseeable, unreasonable risk of harm (by) engaging in the activity and business of selling intoxicating liquors to their patrons and customers who are visibly intoxicated,” the lawsuit states.

A message left by nj.com for Martell’s management Thursday was not returned. Patch left a voice mail message Friday morning for Ronald Gasiorowski, Martell's attorney, and will update the story if more information becomes available.

To read full story, click on link above.