LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Lexington bar is considering a proposed penalty tied to its service of alcoholic beverages to a man who caused a fiery crash that killed a Michigan family of five.
Representatives from Horseshoes Kentucky Grill & Saloon and the Lexington Alcoholic Beverage Control met Tuesday to discuss the facts of the case. A proposed penalty was presented to the business. Specifics of that penalty have not been made public.
The crash occurred in the early morning hours of Jan. 6 along Interstate Highway 75 near Lexington.
Police say Joey Lee Bailey, 41, of Georgetown was driving the wrong way on the interstate when he hit an sport-utility vehicle head-on, causing the SUV to catch fire. All five members of the Abbas family, Issam Abbas, 42; Dr. Rima Abbas, 38; and their children Ali, 14; Isabella, 13; and Giselle, 7, were killed.
According to a toxicology report, Bailey had a blood alcohol level of .306 at the time of the crash.
Investigators from the Lexington Police Department found evidence that Bailey had been drinking at Horseshoes and another bar outside of Lexington the night of the crash.
After leaving Horseshoes, Bailey drove his 2015 Chevrolet Silverado onto the wrong ramp at exit 113 onto I-75 where he drove for several miles. The crash happened in the far left lane at mile marker 107 when Bailey’s truck hit the Abbas family’s Cadillac Escalade. A review of the truck’s event data recorded by the police department’s Collision Reconstruction Unit found that Bailey was driving at speeds of 70-80 miles per hour when the collision occurred.
No agreed order has been reached and the case is continuing. A formal public hearing has not been scheduled at this time.
