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Twins' parents settle lawsuits against restaurants

In 2002, 20-year-old Clearwater twins died in a car crash after they had been served alcohol at two Tallahassee restaurants.

By CHRIS TISCH
Published February 4, 2006

The parents of Clearwater twins who died in a car crash just a day before their 21st birthday have settled lawsuits with two restaurants that provided them drinks before the crash.

Eddie and Suzie Ward were killed in a Nov. 23, 2002, crash in Tallahassee, where they attended college. They would have turned 21 the next day.

Investigators said Eddie Ward, who was driving, had a blood-alcohol count of 0.09 percent, while his sister's count was 0.11, both above the level at which Florida law presumes impairment.

Investigators determined the twins, who graduated from Clearwater High School, had been drinking at an Applebee's and a T.G.I. Friday's in Tallahassee before the crash.

State agents later charged three servers with giving alcohol to minors the night of the crash. All three pleaded no contest to the charges and received varying amounts of fines and community service. A judge also ordered them to write letters of sympathy to the twins' family.

In March 2003, the twins' parents, Ed and Teresa Ward, filed lawsuits against the restaurants. The case against T.G.I. Friday's was settled months ago for a confidential amount, said Mark Roman, a Clearwater attorney who represented the Wards.

The lawsuit against the Applebee's franchise was settled last week, Roman said.

Applejam Inc., which independently owns the franchise, will pay the Wards more than $2-million, Roman said.

Roman said his investigation revealed a culture of alcohol abuse by underage college students in Tallahassee that is fueled by bars and restaurants ignoring the law.

"This just underscores the extensive danger anyone's children are in when you send them off to college," said Roman, who has a son at Florida State.

Roman said the twins, together with a group of friends, met at Applebee's to celebrate their upcoming 21st birthday. The Applebee's server, Jessie Stickle, was a friend of the twins' and knew they were not 21 when he served them numerous alcoholic drinks, including one called a "mind eraser."

He also provided the Ward twins and their friends with rounds of free beer. Roman said a restaurant manager was in an office and was inattentive.

The twins then went to the T.G.I. Friday's and had drinks there, Roman said.

The twins died a little more than an hour after leaving Applebee's when Eddie Ward lost control of his car and crashed into trees. A third person in the car, Eddie Ward's roommate, survived.

Roman said the Ward family was in seclusion this week and not available for an interview. He said the family believes bars and restaurants must follow the law to ensure young people stay safe.

"There can be unfathomable consequences and the phone call every parent dreads," Roman said.

[Last modified February 4, 2006, 00:32:20]