Martell's Tiki Bar Settles in DUI Near Matawan

Popular Jersey Shore party spot Martell’s Tiki Bar settled two lawsuits filed after a fatal DUI accident occurred on Rt. 18 not far from Matawan, NJ.com reports.

The accident happened in August 2013: Ashley Chieco, 26, had been drinking for several hours at the tiki bar, and then got into a car that looked like her’s, but was not. She drove erratically up Rt. 18 for miles, until she collided with Dana Corrar, 57, near the Matawan Old Bridge/County Road 516 overpass (New Brunswick Avenue). Chieco was killed in the crash; Corrar was severely injured, required nine surgeries and now can no longer work due to the extent of her injuries.

Both Corrar and Chieco’s family sued Martell’s Tiki Bar and Martell’s settled both suits in open court earlier this month, according to NJ.com. Both parties agreed not to disclose the amount of the settlements, and Martell’s admits no wrongdoing as part of the deal.

The lawyer who represents Corrar told NJ.com that she is satisfied with the settlement. However, an attorney for Chieco said Wednesday the accident could have been avoided if Martell’s had better monitored both Chieco and their parking lot.

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