Family of GCU students killed in wrong-way crash files lawsuit against restaurant

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - One year ago, in 2017, a horrific wrong-way crash killed three Grand Canyon University students. Now, the family of the two sisters who died in the crash is filing a lawsuit.

The wrong way driver, who was also killed in the crash, was way over the legal limit and had spent time at a bar and restaurant prior to the crash.

The people who died were identified as sisters Karli and Kelsey Richardson, and the wrong way driver was identified as Keaton Allison. Allison's BAC was found to be .25, or a "Super Extreme DUI" in Arizona.

Now, the girls' mother has filed a lawsuit against the establishment that was serving Allison - the Mellow Mushroom on Happy Valley Road, near the I-17.

According to a report from Arizona's Department of Liquor Licenses and Control obtained by FOX10, officials found multiple violations by the Mellow Mushroom from April 14, 2017, the night of the crash. The violations included "failure to protect the safety of patrons", and "selling liquor to an intoxicated or disorderly person".

The investigator interviewed multiple witnesses that observed Allison having multiple drinks at the restaurant for 4.5 hours, while dining with friends.

Then, Allison got on the road.

FOX 10 has reached out to the owners of that Mellow Mushroom, but they did not want to comment at this time. This lawsuit is seeking damages to be determined if there's a trial. The violations from the restaurant are being reviewed by the state, and possible penalties are pending.