HOUSTON — An alleged intoxicated boat driver that caused a fatal crash and the bar that served him alcohol is facing a suit.
Melanie Schneider, individually and as representative of the Estate of Earl Schneider, deceased, Dallas Schneider and Stephen Schneider filed a complaint Jan. 28 in Harris County District Court against Margaritaville Enterprises LLC doing business as Landshark Bar and Grill, Robert Rice and others alleging negligence, Dram Shop violations, wrongful death and other claims.
According to the plaintiffs' complaint, Stephen Schneider and Earl Schneider were passengers on a boat owned and operated by Rice while on Lake Conroe on July 10, 2021. They allege that Rice was intoxicated while operating the boat and caused the boat to crash into a peninsula/bulkhead at the Walden Country Club's golf course. Also according to the complaint, Earl Schneider was killed and Stephen Schneider was ejected onto land and suffered severe injuries.
The plaintiffs allege that Rice had been served alcohol at the defendants' bar and restaurant establishments. They further allege Walden Country Club's negligence for its failure to warn vessels on the water surrounding the golf course and Landshark's violation of the Dram Shop Act.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief of more than $1million, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Muhammad Aziz and Karl Long of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Strogner in Houston and R. Dan Sorey and Geoffrey Hoover of Sorey & Gilliland LLP in Longview.
Harris County District Court case number 2022-05626