Yolanda Rook is suing multiple parties over the death of her 17-year-old son, Liam Maclachlan. Liam was killed while he was riding a motorized scooter in January of 2017 in Florida.
According to the Palm Beach Post, Ms. Rook alleges that a 35-year-old man, Troy Fike, served her son alcohol on the night of his death and then allowed him to drive away even though he knew that the teen was intoxicated. The lawsuit claims that Mr. Fike’s home was known as a “party house.” The suit also claims that Mr. Fike is responsible for Liam’s death.
Liam was killed when he crashed his scooter into a pickup truck that was being driven by Peter Kargoll. The sheriff’s deputies noted that alcohol was a factor in the crash. Ms. Rook has also named Mr. Kargoll in the lawsuit.
Ms. Rook is seeking unspecified damages for her son’s death.
In Oregon, it is illegal for anyone except a parent or legal guardian to provide someone under the age of 21 with alcohol. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission states that parents or guardians are permitted to legally provide alcohol to their child or ward that is under 21 in a private residence when the parent or guardian is accompanying the child. Parents are not allowed to provide their children alcohol in public places and cannot transfer their responsibility to another adult. If an adult in Oregon allows their home or property to be used as a place where minors, other than their own, consume alcohol, they could be issued a criminal citation.
Washington has a similar law in place that allows parents or guardians to provide their children with alcohol as long as it is consumed in their presence. Parents and guardians in Washington may be liable if their child leaves their home and is injured while intoxicated.
