*Tiger Woods and his girlfriend Erica Herman, the general manager of Woods’ Florida restaurant, are facing a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the parents of a 24-year-old bartender of the Jupiter eatery.
The family of Nicholas Immesberger claim he was battling alcoholism and they allege he was overserved booze at the golfer’s restaurant before being killed in a drunk-driving accident, TMZ reports.
The lawsuit filed in Palm Beach County on Monday alleges Immesberger knocked back one too many for about three hours after his shift at The Woods.
He reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.28 — more than three times the legal limit — when he died after his 1999 Chevrolet Corvette veered off the roadway, went airborne and overturned.
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It’s an incredible privilege to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Considering the recipients, history, and what this means to me and my family, it’s also very humbling. Thank you all for your support and I hope this inspires others to never give up on their dreams. pic.twitter.com/33CJIHwQvz
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) May 7, 2019
The lawsuit alleges “Tiger knew, or reasonably should have known, that Immesberger was habitually addicted to the use of any or all alcoholic beverages, and/or was a habitual drunkard.”
The family also claimed that Woods and Herman were drinking with Immesberger days before the fatal crash.
The suit also states, “Tiger is individually liable in this action because he individually participated in the serving of alcohol,” but that doesn’t mean the golf champ served — or was even at the establishment — that day.
Under Florida law, as owner of the restaurant, Woods could be held liable whether or not he was present on the premises if a foreseeable risk of injury or death occurs due to over-serving.
“The employees and management at The Woods had direct knowledge that Immesberger had a habitual problem with alcohol,” the lawsuit read. “In fact, employees and managers knew that Immesberger had attended Alcoholic Anonymous meetings prior to the night of his crash and was attempting to treat his disease. Despite this, the employees and management at The Woods continued to serve Immesberger alcohol while he was working as well as after work, while he sat at the bar.”
The lawsuit seeks medical and funeral expenses as well as other “appropriate damages.”
A news conference is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, Woods is currently preparing to compete again at the PGA Championship this week at Bethpage Black golf course.