Second civil suit filed in DUI crash that killed two

The family of a Ruma woman whose car collided in January with a car driven by a suspected drunken driver filed suit in St. Clair County on Dec. 3 against the driver and the three taverns she was drinking at before the crash occurred.

Abigail Liefer, 19, died as a result of the crash that occurred Jan. 10 on Illinois 159 between Red Bud and Hecker. She was the driver of a 2007 Chevy Cobalt that was southbound when it collided head-on with the 2008 Chevy Aveo driven by Crystal Steinheimer, 21, of Red Bud. Steinheimer’s car had crossed the center line, police said.

Hannah Porter, 20, of Red Bud, also was killed in the crash. Passenger Grace E. Richards, 22, was injured. Porter’s family filed a similar civil suit in August.

The 17-count suit filed by Liefer’s family and attorney Stephen C. Buser also names the taverns and tavern owners the family says were responsible for Steinheimer’s intoxication. The suit seeks over $50,000 in damages for each count.

The Porters’ 12-count suit seeks over $75,000 for each count.

Court papers show Water Street Grill and Bar and its parent company, Belleville-based KBB Growth, LLC; Michael J’s Saloon and owner Michael J. Stefani, and Just Sue’s and owner Susan K. Levery all are named as defendants.. Liefer’s family claims Steinheimer was negligent at the time of the crash and also cites the Illinois Dram Shop Act in claiming that the three Randolph County taverns Steinheimer was at before the crash also are responsible for Liefer’s death.

The taverns are all in Evansville. The Dram Shop Act spells out the liability of businesses that sell alcohol to minors or to visibly intoxicated patrons.

Police said Steinheimer, who was 20 on Jan. 10, had a blood alcohol level of 0.179 at the time of the crash, more than twice the legal limit.

Neither Buser nor Tom Keefe, who represents the Porter family, could be reached for comment.

Steinheimer also is criminally charged. Monroe County State’s Attorney Kris Reitz in May issued charges of reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence in May. The charges each carry prison terms of between six and 24 years.

This story was originally published December 19, 2015 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Second civil suit filed in DUI crash that killed two."