Former owners of nightclub declare bankruptcy in Dram Shop suit

The former owners of Whiskey River have filed a suggestion of bankruptcy in a Dram Shop suit. 

In April 2011, Laretta Hill filed suit against Karlon Travis Bowen, Kandace Bowen and Mid-County Ventures (former owners of Whiskey River) in Jefferson County District Court. Court records show that Mid-County Ventures is the suit’s sole remaining defendant.

Mid-County Ventures sold the nightclub to Golden Triangle Entertainment in January 2011. Golden Triangle Entertainment is not a party in the lawsuit.

On Jan. 15, Mid-County Ventures filed a suggestion of bankruptcy, stating that it has filed for protection under Chapter Seven on Jan. 14.

Hill is now duly scheduled as an unsecured creditor for the pending litigation.

In her suit, Hill claims she was riding in a vehicle driven by Bowen traveling east on Interstate 10 when Bowen took the exit ramp at milepost 856 and struck the concrete crash pad.

Hill claims she sustained injuries, physical impairment, disfigurement, extreme physical and mental pain and suffering and anguish, the suit states. In addition, she incurred medical costs, the complaint says.

Brian D. Sutton and Stephanie H. Harris of Sutton and Jacobs in Beaumont represent her.

Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, is presiding over the case.

Case No. D189-736