The Schmidt Firm Announces Lawsuit in Dallas Monster Truck Death; Family Says Spearmint Rhino Gentlemen's Club, Truck Driver Responsible

DALLAS, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys from The Schmidt Firm, LLP are announcing a lawsuit filed today on behalf of the family of a college student who was killed last month after being crushed by a "monster truck" in the parking lot of a Dallas gentlemen's club. The driver has been charged with intoxication manslaughter.

The Schmidt Firm co-founder Michael E. Schmidt represents the family of Kasey McKenzie, 23, of Granbury, Texas, who died on March 17, 2011, after being struck by the truck driven by Eric Brent Crutchfield, 27, of Dallas.

Ms. McKenzie, who did not know Mr. Crutchfield, was leaving the Spearmint Rhino Gentlemen's Club with friends after a party when she was run over by the truck shortly after 2 a.m. After the incident, onlookers forced Mr. Crutchfield to stop before police arrived.

Evidence collected by the family's legal team indicates that Mr. Crutchfield was served numerous alcoholic drinks by Spearmint Rhino employees. He was arrested at the scene and later jailed, although he is now free after posting bail.

"Kasey's parents have gone through a terrible ordeal that few families can imagine," says Mr. Schmidt. "Their daughter's entire life was taken away in an instant because a strip bar wanted to sell as many drinks as possible and because someone decided to get behind the wheel when he obviously had been served far too many drinks."

Mr. Crutchfield was driving a modified pickup truck with a lift kit that raised the vehicle high off the ground, limiting driver visibility. He ran over Ms. McKenzie with both the front and rear tires, although police reported that he claimed he was unaware of hitting anyone.

The lawsuit, Gary McKenzie, et al. v. High Expectations Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Spearmint Rhino Gentlemen's Club, et al., No. DC-11-04658, is filed in the 101st District Court in Dallas, and includes Mr. Crutchfield and the Spearmint Rhino's affiliated companies as defendants. Ms. McKenzie's family is requesting a jury trial.

For more information, contact Bruce Vincent at 800-559-4534 or [email protected].

SOURCE The Schmidt Firm, LLP