Underage man sues Hooters for serving him alcohol after car wreck

BECKLEY - A man is suing a restaurant after the establishment sold him alcohol while he was underage.

Dylan Lester flied a lawsuit Sept. 30 in Raleigh County Circuit Court against Cornett Hospitality LLC and Happy Owl, doing business as Hooters, citing negligence and violations of West Virginia Code Section 60-7-12.

Lester says that on Sept. 30, 2011, he was a customer at Hooters and was served and consumed alcoholic beverages for several hours although he was under the age of 21 and not yet old enough to purchase alcohol.

He says that he was never asked to provide identification to verify his age until several hours after he had been drinking, at which time he provided identification that showed he was under the age of 21.

Lester alleges that although he was visibly intoxicated at that time, he was forced to leave the restaurant and shortly after leaving he was involved in a significant auto accident which resulted in serious injuries.

Lester is seeking an undisclosed amount of damages, plus punitive damages for violation of West Virginia Code Section 60-7-12. He is being represented in the case by J. Mingo Winters.

Circuit Court of Raleigh County Case No: 13-C-793