Aug 31, 2015 3 min read

A couple from suburban Pittsburgh filed suit Friday in Washington County Court against the driver who they said injured them in a traffic accident nearly two years and, under the state’s dram shop law, sued a Canonsburg club they claim should not have served the woman alcohol.

Shannon and Steven Venditti of Baldwin were in the cab of a pickup truck stopped on West Pike Street at the Central Avenue intersection Dec. 14, 2013, when the truck was struck from behind.

Shannon Venditti said she suffered knee and head trauma, while Steven Venditti suffered neck and back injuries.

The suit identifies Adrian D. Adams, 43, of Elm Street, Canonsburg, as the driver of the car that hit their truck.

According to court records, Adams, on Nov. 20 of last year, pleaded guilty to a second offense of driving under the influence. Judge Gary Gilman sentenced her to spend 36 months in the Intermediate Punishment program with the first nine months on electronic home monitoring and the first six months with an alcohol monitor. She also was fined $1,500, ordered to have her driver’s license suspended for 18 months, have an Interlock ignition device on her vehicle for a year, attend alcohol highway safety school, pay restitution and have no contact with victims.

The Vendittis also sued Canon Lodge 186 of the Improved, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, Murdock Street, Canonsburg, stating Adams was served alcohol when she was visibly intoxicated at the club the day of the crash, despite the club knowing of her “intemperate history.”

The FindLaw website says “dram shop” laws are named after establishments in 18th century England that sold gin by the spoonful, called a “dram.”

A call to Elks Club IBPOEW resulted in a recording that said, “The number you called is not in service.” The club’s Facebook page, under “status,” reads, “May be permanently closed.” The last post on the page was dated Jan. 24, 2014.

A state-issued handbook notes, “Know Pennsylvania law and reduce the threat of citations and lawsuits. … ‘Dram Shop’ refers to laws that establish liability on people who serve alcohol. In Pennsylvania, it is unlawful to serve alcohol to a person who is visibly intoxicated or a person who is under 21 years of age. You can be held responsible for administrative, criminal and civil sanctions if your employees violate the liquor law on your licensed premises.”

The Vendittis are seeking a jury trial and compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $50,000 apiece.