The family of Dennis Riegel, Jr. of Washington, Missouri was awarded $89 million dollars as a result of his death caused by a drunk driver. In February 2008, Mr. Riegel were driving on Highway 100 as they returned from registering for their wedding. Troy Zerna was driving on the same road at the same time. Mr. Zerna crossed the center line and hit Mr. Riegel and his fiance head-on.

Ms. Hodge, who survived the crash, described how the force of the crash shattered almost all of the bones in her face, and how her doctors tried to put her back together. She told of complications to her pregnancy caused by the crash. The Highway Patrol officers determined Zerna’s blood alcohol level as .20. Missouri Highway Patrol Corporal L.J. Keathley explained this level is ten times the limit for a minor and more than twice the legal limit for an adult. Making matters worse, Mr. Zerna’s license had been suspended for a DUI incident which occurred just months earlier when his blood alcohol level was reported to be .22. Mr. Zerna pleaded guilty to injuring Ms. Hodge and killing Mr. Riegel and was sentenced to 10 years.

As St. Louis personal injury attorneys, we handle drunk driving accidents. We firmly believe that drunk driving should not be tolerated. If you have been injured or a loved one has been injured or killed by a drunk driver, we want to speak with you. Please contact us at 1-800-517-0602.