Lawsuit Filed against Bar after Alcohol Poisoning Death

LONGVIEW — A popular Longview bar could be in some hot water after having a $1-million lawsuit filed against it. Gerald’s Martini Bar is being sued by Wesley and Cindy Bickerdike of Longview after their son, Brian, died in December from alcohol poisoning The Bickerdikes tell KETK employees of Gerald’s served their son until the point he became overly intoxicated and was clear danger to himself and others. Brian, who was 25 at the time of his death, had a blood alcohol level of .479, almost six times the legal limit, when he died on December 14. The bar’s owner, Gerald Rodriguez, refused to comment on the lawsuit. Court documents obtained by KETK show Rodriguez is denying all allegations and responsibility in Bickerdike’s death.

Records show Bickerdike was helped out of the downtown hot spot by his friends around 2:00 a.m. December 14 and arrived at the home of Brandon Pritchett around 2:30 a.m. A few hours later, when Pritchett checked on Brian, he was not breathing, and EMS was called. The lawsuit alleges Gerald’s acted with malice and “conscious indifference to the rights, safety or welfare of others.” The Bickerdikes have requested a jury trial.