Wisconsin Bartender Amanda Bruski Charged With Over-Serving Intoxicated Man
I have long argued that those who sell and pour the booze should be held accountable for the actions that result from being drunk. There is now a case underway in Wisconsin that makes my point. A man enters a bar, already clearly having been drinking, and is served not one…..not two…..but perhaps three shots…..and also two mixed drinks. He then later kills himself in an auto accident. The fact he very well could have taken others with him in his drunken state also needs to be clearly understood.
The person who poured these drinks, Amanda Bruski of Marathon County, has now been charged with a misdemeanor for her actions. I have argued that those who work at taverns need to be more responsible for their actions. In fact I made it quite clear in this post in February 2009 when I stated, “There must be accountability by tavern owners for what they not only pour into a glass, but also pour out into the streets that then get behind a wheel.”
I have argued for strict laws on a number of fronts including requiring that people serving alcohol have none of it in their system. With the power of the Wisconsin Tavern League and the drinking culture these types of measures are hard to enact into law. But I know there is strong support among Wisconsinites for tougher laws against drunk driving.
It will be interesting to see how the case that now is in the news proceeds forward. Equally interesting for me will be the public reaction to this matter.
A prosecutor in Marathon County has charged a bartender with a rarely used misdemeanor for serving an intoxicated man who later died in a traffic crash.
Twenty-eight-year-old Amanda Bruski told Everest Metro investigators she served Timothy Fehlandt two or three shots of tequila and two mixed drinks last April at the Arrow Sports Bar and Grill in Weston. She said it appeared Fehlandt had been drinking before he arrived at the bar. The 52-year-old Ringle man died in a one-vehicle rollover crash after he left the tavern.
The Wausau Daily Herald reported that the charge has not been used since 1999 when a Marshfield woman was charged and convicted of the misdemeanor. It carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and $500 fine.
Only those children unable to process the acts of adults could truthfully tell us the life-long consequences of DUI when they finally understand (after maturing enough), that WI is unique in allowing binge-drinking, allowing serving of alcohol to minors (child of bar-owner, child of parent present), and generally “encouragement” of provision of alcoholic beverages at every possible celebration including church, family and civic affairs. The sheer-quantity of amounts persons feel “necessary to consumer” has nothing whatsoever to do with having “a social drink or two; one shot per drink.” Unless WI citizens “as a whole” understand the generation upon generation effects and astronomical health costs perpetuated by society continuing to allow drinking at every drop of a graduation cap and every other event, 200 yrs from now we will still have the same problems associated with “serving alcohol,” although blogging may be outdated.
I love our drinking laws in Wisconsin. I think this lady should be charged, bar tenders need to be strong and unafraid to turn away customers, not all are. And some are just eager to turn a blind eye. She obviously knew he had been drinking, which right away indicates he had to have been passed the point of needing more. Bar tenders like her need to be a bit more careful so we do not end up with dry counties and a bunch of liberal radicals parading around taxing our rights.
The facts are listed, and yes, this is also an opinion site. Much like an editorial in a newspaper is built with facts, so to is this site and the thoughts that develop.
The next time you write a article, Please do your homework and state the facts, all of them! Unless this is and opinion column? you did your job.
Also, as most bartenders will tell you, it’s not always so easy to determine who should no longer be served when they first enter your establishment. Your initial contact with them is brief and not every intoxicated person is clearly stumbling, slurring their speech, etc. Many people can be very high or drunk and not show many outward signs at all… See More. It’s dependent on their history, etc. Oftentimes, a bartender will serve a patron one or two cocktails or beers before it becomes evident that they are intoxicated and therefore must have been drinking somewhere else before they came in.
This idea that bartenders are not only required to be babysitters, but also experts in human and medical behavior, or something just short of being mind readers is just another way for the state to enforce ridiculous laws that excuse PERSONAL responsibility from the individual in question, probably for insurance reasons. From my understanding, Amanda is not only NOT responsible for this guy being as intoxicated as he was, but in fact did cut him off and offered to call him a cab. What more can a bar employee do? I think every bartender in the state should be very vocal and present in protesting this.
I hope the DA makes the case, and more such cases will result. I am so tired of the drinking and driving in this state and the power of the Tavern League. Keep us posted here on the blog as to what happens.
Many other states have so-called “dram shop” liability laws that do hold taverns and bartenders responsible. In Wisconsin, the alcohol lobby has had so much influence we are lucky to have a drunken driving law.