Restaurant sued after teens killed in crash

WICHITA FALLS, TX Ercilia Velora Norrid seeks up to $7 million and other damages in her wrongful death and negligence suit against Wingsport LP, doing business as Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar.

On Oct. 14, Electra High School students Adreanna Norrid, 18, and Courtney Mengwasser, 16, were killed when the car they were riding in collided with a pickup truck traveling in their lane, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Their friend driving the car was critically injured.

The other driver, Michael Nason, 40, of Electra was killed in the crash on the narrow rural road near Electra, and his passenger was injured, according to DPS.

Authorities are waiting on tests results that will show Nason's blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash, DPS spokeswoman Tela Mange told The Associated Press on Monday.

The lawsuit claims employees of Buffalo Wild Wings in Wichita Falls, about 25 miles southeast of Electra, served Nason too many alcoholic beverages that night, the Wichita Falls Times Record News reported.

It also alleges that employees failed to have the proper Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission training and current certification cards. The suit claims the company had an established policy encouraging employees to ignore guidelines for serving alcohol to intoxicated customers and then to allow them to drive home, endangering lives.

Wingsport's president Michael Burton said the company has cooperated fully with the TABC's investigation and is "confident the facts will show Buffalo Wild Wings should not have been named in the lawsuit."

"We just want to say that our hearts and prayers go out to each family member and friend impacted by this tragedy," Burton said, declining further comment on the suit.

The suit filed last week alleges that Adreanna Norrid's mother suffered past and future mental anguish, loss of companionship, funeral expenses and other damages. The suit also names the estate of Michael D. Nason, Nason Holding Co., Nason Operating Co. and Nason Services.

Nason Services declined to comment.

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