SAN ANTONIO – The family of San Antonio Police Officer Sergio Antillon have settled a lawsuit against four defendants involved in Antillon's death.
On his way home from work at 3 a.m. on Oct. 14, 2010, Antillon was struck by a drunken driver while he attempted to render aid at a car accident.
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Antillon he was thrown 125 feet into a guardrail, where he sustained massive injuries that led to his death 15 days later.
An SAPD accident investigator determined that the vehicle driven by Sandra Briggs was going 78 mph when it struck Antillon.
The suit filed by the Antillon family claimed that Alfredo Araguz, III, the man who Antillon stopped to help, was also drunk.
In addition, the lawsuit claimed that the Bunratty Pub and one of its bartenders had served an excessive amount of alcohol to Briggs.
"Drunk drivers put everyone in our community at risk," said attorney Tom Crosley. "Officer Antillon's tragic death was preventable on so many levels. In this case, there were four defendants – the two drunk drivers, the bar, and the bartender – whose conduct contributed to Officer Antillon's fatal injuries."
Briggs was convicted of intoxication manslaughter and sentenced to 45 years in prison and Araguz was convicted of a misdemeanor DWI and sentenced to 16 months probation.
Both settled with the Antillon family for their insurance policy limits.
Evidence that developed in the case later showed many of Bunratty Pub employees working the night of the accident were not properly certified by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
The pub was also the subject of three complaints alleging the sale of alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person.
The Bunratty Pub was operating without liability insurance, therefore was forced to pay its share of the settlement out of its operating funds. The Bunratty Pub has now closed and no longer has a license to sell alcohol.
"Bars and restaurants serving alcohol must not needlessly endanger the public by serving alcohol to intoxicated customers who then drive their cars on our roadways," said attorney Andy Rodriguez. "This case shows that they will be held accountable for their actions."