Green Brook Woman Wins Settlement Against Drunk Driver, Restaurant

Green Brook resident Linda Reedman, 61, won a $750,000 settlement for injuries she received when the vehicle she was driving on Route 22 was hit from behind in a three-car accident caused by a drunk driver, according to the New Jersey Law Journal.

The Journal reported Reedman's claim against the , in Bridgewater, and driver Jean Kaepenik was settled on May 17 after a conference meeting with retired Superior Court Judge Jack Lintner. She had filed the suit after the accident on an eastbound lane of Route 22 in Bridgewater on Sept. 23, 2009, when her vehicle was hit from behind by a vehicle driven by Diane Toussant-Adams, whose vehicle had been hit by Kaepenik's.

Kaepenik was charged with driving while intoxicated after the accident, and her blood alcohol level tested at 0.229 percent—nearly three times the 0.08 percent level for intoxication under New Jersey law, Reedman's attorney James Dunn, of Levinson Axelrod in Flemington, told the Journal. 

Dunn also reportedly said Kaepenik had been drinking at the Chimney Rock Inn from 2 p.m. until just before the accident at 5:20 p.m., and was served drinks despite being clearly intoxicated.

As a result of the accident, Reedman suffered multiple cervical herniations and decompressions. She has had two surgeries to address the injuries received in the accident. 

The Journal reported Kaepenik's insurance company paid $250,000 towards the settlement, while Chimney Rock's insurance paid the $500,000 balance.