Family Of DUI Victims Sues Montana Bar

A Montana woman whose mother and daughter died in a drunken driving crash has filed a lawsuit against a Helena bar, alleging the driver was served alcohol shortly before the crash, despite being visibly intoxicated.

The Independent Record reported Heather Smith filed the lawsuit on Aug. 14 against O’Toole’s Bar and Lounge; the estate of its former owner, Joyce O’Toole, who died in July; and bar employee William Gleed. Gleed has pleaded not guilty to two counts of serving alcohol to an intoxicated person.

The driver, 22-year-old Arielle Michelle Schescke, has pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide for the April 30 deaths of 51-year-old Mildred Richard and 16-year-old Justine Smith near East Helena.

Schescke is to be sentenced on Sept. 4.