Lou Van de Vorst hopes SGI lawsuits 'sends a message' after he lost his family to impaired driver
Catherine McKay was impaired when she killed Jordan, Chanda, Kamryn and Miguire Van de Vorst in 2016
Lou Van de Vorst is pleased the bars that served the impaired driver who killed his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren have been held to account, but he still feels there's much more work to be done.
Saskatchewan Government InsuranceannouncedWednesdayit reached out-of-court settlements in lawsuits filed against two Saskatoon establishments that served the drunk driver involved in the fatal crash.
"Hopefully it sends a message to other bars and establishments that they may be held accountable for what their patrons are doing if they're serving too much liquor to them," saidVan deVorst.
Catherine McKaywas given a 10-year sentence in July 2016 after she crashed into the vehicle carryingmarried couple Jordan and ChandaVan de Vorst, and their two children, Kamryn and Miguire, killing all four.
The suits were filed in July 2017 against Industrial Kitchen & Bar andMCDEHoldings Ltd., the company that operated Crackers Licensed Cocktail & Dining Room. Both servedMcKaythe night of the collision.
"There's been a lot of work done by SGI, and I'm very happy with that," saidLou Van deVorst.
According to SGI, in 2017the number of deaths on Saskatchewan roads totalled 102, droppingto a low not seen in more than 60 years.
"The numbers still aren't [low] enough, and the numbers have to come down, so I would not say that I'm satisfied," he said.
The settlement
"SGItook this action to hold these particular liquor establishments accountable and SGI has said it intends to consider legal action in similar cases where the evidence merits," said Tyler McMurchy, manager of media relations for SGI.
SGIsaid the terms of the settlements will not be disclosed.
McKay'sblood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when her vehicle struck the car carrying the Van deVorstfamily at the intersection of Highway 11 and Wanuskewin Road, north of Saskatoon.
It was the first time SGI had ever filed a lawsuit in a case like this, according to McMurchy.
SGIalso filed a statement of claim against McKay in July, while she was incarcerated. No statement of defence was filed and the court ruled against her.
That judgment allows the Crown corporation to collect the money which was paid out in the claims filed to SGI.
"We are satisfied with the results," McMurchy said.
"We do commend Saskatchewan liquor establishments who work to ensure the safety of their customers and others on the road, through calling a safe ride for them or in some cases even providing a safe ride at their own cost."
Law expert weighs-in
Jonathan Abrametz isan auto-injury lawyer for the Barrister Group in Saskatoon. Some of his clients includepeople injured by impaired drivers.
"I don't think bars are going to get sued bySGIjust because an accident occurred," Abrametzsaid. "I think they're going to do some investigation to find out what the facts of the case are before they venture down," that route, he said.
"I truly believe that before this lawsuit happened that bars, maybe with a few exceptions, were law-abiding and served their patrons properly."
When it comes to social changerelating to Saskatchewan's drinking and driving problem, he said "big changes will happen" when the province introduces legislation to allow ride-hailingservices like Uber.
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