Mark Mandell: Paralyzed woman awarded $23 million in case against Twin River, others
Providence Journal, by Katie Mulvaney, Journal Staff Writer, Oct. 28, 2016
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A young Cranston woman, left paralyzed by a teenage drunken driver who had been served liquor at Twin River Casino, on Friday won a $23-million verdict, with interest.
A Superior Court jury deliberated about two days before finding Twin River negligent in serving alcohol to the driver, Alexander Arango. It also found that the casino violated the Rhode Island Liquor Liability Law by negligently serving Arango, who was 18 years old at the time of the 2010 crash.
The jury assigned 70 percent responsibility to Arango, 20 percent to Twin River and 10 percent to Royal Liquors, a store on Pontiac Avenue in Providence that also sold liquor to Arango.
Under Rhode Island law, each defendant is responsible for the entire amount of damages regardless of the percentage of responsibility.
Patti Doyle, spokeswoman for Twin River, said they were disappointed by the verdict.
"The decision is completely inconsistent with the evidence and the sworn testimony. We continue to vigorously deny that drinks were served to the plaintiff's boyfriend and for that reason, we are shocked and extremely disappointed by this decision," Doyle said. "At this time, we are exploring our options, including a possible appeal."
Moulton and Cristina Sinapi, both 18, were ejected from the rear seats of the vehicle after Arango, Moulton's boyfriend and the father of her child, lost control of his mother’s 1997 Toyota Camry.
According to reports, the car struck the median barrier before crossing the two right lanes of the highway onto the grass shoulder, where it rolled onto its roof and hit a tree, rear end first.
Neither of the teens in the back seat was wearing a seat belt. Moulton suffered serious spinal injuries that left her paralyzed from the chest down. Sinapi suffered serious internal and back injuries, according to the state police.
Arango and the front-seat passenger, 20-year-old Jose Diaz, were treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital. Diaz was the only person wearing a seat belt. Arango pleaded guilty to two counts of driving to endanger resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of driving under the influence. He was sentenced to serve two years in prison.
In the aftermath, Moulton sued Twin River; UTGR, the holding company that owns Twin River; Arango; and more than a half-dozen entities, including insurers. Moulton accuses the casino of negligently serving Arango alcohol while he was under age 21 and visibly intoxicated.
Now in a wheelchair and a mother of two young children, Moulton observed much of the five-week trial before Judge William E. Carnes Jr.
"This will remarkably, positively change her life, partly because she got justice," said Mark S. Mandell, who represented Moulton with his son Zachary and wife Yvette Boisclair.
Asked about Arango's role in the crash, Mandell said, "He should not have been served. He was an 18-year-old man."
