Hit-run victim's wife sues Cowboy
Posted on 02/20/2003 2:33:09 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
Hit-run victim's wife sues Cowboy
Filing alleges player drank at club; state agency says he didn't
02/20/2003
A wrongful-death lawsuit filed Wednesday alleges that Dallas Cowboys player Dwayne Goodrich had been drinking at a topless club and racing before the Jan. 14 accident that killed two men and injured another on Interstate 35E.
The suit comes after a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission investigation determined that Mr. Goodrich had been drinking earlier in the evening but had no alcoholic drinks in Silver City Cabaret and did not leave there intoxicated.
The lawsuit was filed in Dallas County by 21-year-old Kathryn Argumaniz, Joseph Wood's wife, according to her attorney, and their 18-month-old son, Joseph Julian Wood. It seeks unspecified damages against Mr. Goodrich and Silver City Cabaret.
Mr. Goodrich could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Tommy Charalambopoulos, Silver City's general manager, said Mr. Goodrich was not served "a drop of alcohol in the club. He was sober when he came here and sober when he left here."
Police said Mr. Goodrich struck and killed Mr. Wood, 21, and Demont Matthews, 23, and injured Shuki Josef, 38, as the three men tried to free a motorist trapped in a burning car on I-35E. Mr. Goodrich is charged with two counts of manslaughter and three counts of failure to stop and render aid. He remains free on bond.
The suit contends that Mr. Goodrich was drinking at Silver City Cabaret before the accident.
"We have statements from witnesses that he had been served alcohol there," said Andrew Sommerman, the family's attorney.
Sam Smelser, TABC assistant chief of enforcement in Austin, said investigators determined through interviews with about 30 people that Mr. Goodrich had one to three drinks at an Irving Italian restaurant, one to two drinks at a northwest Dallas club, and no alcohol at Silver City.
The lawsuit also says that Mr. Goodrich was spotted racing another vehicle moments before the impact. Police say one witness reported seeing Mr. Goodrich racing but said there was no evidence to support the allegation.
Mr. Josef filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Mr. Goodrich.
E-mail jtrahan@dallasnews.com
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