Federal Lawsuit Alleges Two Popular RI Bars Overserved, Leading to Crash and Permanent Injuries

Federal Lawsuit Alleges Two Popular RI Bars Overserved, Leading to Crash and Permanent Injuries

A lawsuit filed this week in Federal District Court in Providence alleges that two popular bars in Rhode Island overserved a customer, who the plaintiff says then crashed head-on into her vehicle when she was driving to work. 

In the twelve-page complaint, Connecticut resident Glenmarie Colon Figueroa alleges that on May 9, 2025, Nathan Doherty went to the Thirsty Beaver and High Hope Tavern - both in Westerly - and then crossed the double yellow line on Route 2 in Ledyard, Connecticut, hitting her head-on. 

Figueroa in the suit alleges that she suffered "severe and permanent injuries." She is being represented by attorney Mark Mandell, who served as the Chair of the Plaintiff's Settlement committee in the Station Fire litigation, which resulted in a settlement of more than $176 million.

The Westerly Thirsty Beaver closed last year. The company currently has locations in Cranston, Smithfield, and North Kingstown. 

The Thirsty Beaver chain is owned by prominent Rhode Island businessman and restaurateur Ed Brady. 

When reached on Wednesday, Brady referred any comment to his partner Jeff Quinlan, who did not respond at the time of publication. 


Crash Suspect "Intoxicated" at Bars

The lawsuit claims that on the night of the crash, Doherty first went to the Thirsty Beaver in Westerly at around 7:30 PM, where he was served alcohol. 

"Doherty was intoxicated when he was present at the Thirsty Beaver...[he] left the Thirsty Beaver around 10:30 PM [and was] intoxicated when he left the Thirsty Beaver," the lawsuit maintains.

It goes on to claim Doherty then went to the High Hope Tavern, where again served alcohol. 

"At or around 12:15 AM on May 10, 2025, Doherty left the High Hope Tavern. He was intoxicated when he left High Hope Tavern," the lawsuit continues. 

According to the suit, Doherty got into his car and drove toward his home in Connecticut on Route 2 - when he crossed the double yellow lines and crashed head-on into Figueroa. 

According to the police report, pre-crash data recorded Mr. Doherty’s car traveling at 76.4 mph just 4.6 seconds prior to the crash. The data revealed that Mr. Doherty did not apply the brakes until .1 seconds before the crash. Mr. Doherty’s vehicle was traveling at 64 mph when it crashed into Plaintiff’s car. The posted speed limit on Route 2 where the crash occurred was 50 mph."

"Doherty was brought to the hospital after the crash. The primary admitting diagnosis was 'acute alcohol intoxication,'" the lawsuit continues. Doherty was arrested and charged with 'illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and assault in the second degree with a motor vehicle.'"

Figuero is suing the Thirsty Beaver and High Hope Tavern for common law negligence, corporate negligence, and "dram shop negligence" under Rhode Island General Law. 

Neither Mandell nor the High Hope Tavern responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.