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Updated: 7:21 PM Jan 8, 2009
Restaurant Linked to Hit and Run Under Investigation
Harrisonburg, Va. The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is investigating a local restaurant in connection with a deadly hit-and-run in Harrisonburg. Posted: 7:27 PM Jan 7, 2009Reporter: Val Thompson/Haley Harrison Email Address: vthompson@whsv.com, hharrison@whsv.com |
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alison--this is what i say to you. The Pub is in no way responsible for the actions of "Bess",nor did I say they were responsbile for how much she drank. What they are responsible for, which I tried to make clear but you must have missed it, is how long they allow people, cusotmers or employees to remain after hours. I in no way think they should babysit their patrons or emplyoees, though it is their fault they have allowed everyone to "take advantage" as you say of the after hours partying they allow to go on. No matter what time the Pub claims they close, we all now better. Also, most of us are smart enough, while taking this advantage, not to drive ourselves home, though I appreciate the implication. Finnigans is not under investigation, because they did not allow her to come in after hours. There my dear is the difference you seem to misunderstand.
I do not feel sorry for Bess as they call her ,as she stated on tv that she thought she hit something and if she thought she hit a dog she would've stopped , where is your regard for human life, if thelaw hadn't found the broken lense and fit it to your vehicle , would you have turned yourself in, I think not. .I do however feel very bad for Mrs . Andersons family who lost a mom ,a wife, a coworker .My thoughts and prayers are with you all. As far as the Pub goes , a little late to fire her now isn't it Bill ? I think the Pub is partially responsible and should be shut down !
Pub Vistor and others likewise: I think its amazing that you would get on here to tell the world how you have DONE THE SAME THING! Thank God it wasnt you who hit a pedestrian on one of your drunken rides home from the Pub. How can you critize and say they should be punished for something you say you have personally taken advantage of?? It just as easily could have been you in the news today! The Pub is a bar! Its a place to socailize and place to drink! That is the purpose of a bar! As adults we have to make the right choices and take a D.D. It is not the pubs job to make you make grown up choices, nor was it thier job to babysit Bess. She drank at another establishment, she drove, I am sure if she would have asked someone to call her a cab that service would have been provided. Its terrible that she will have to live with this split second decision for the rest of her life, prayers are offered to EVERYONE involved from Grottoes tonight!
Wow, its really a shame that this happened. I happen to know Bess and visit the pub quite often. But why is the main focus on The Pub? I like Bess she is a real genuine person but she is a grown adult & made the decision to drink & turn around & get behind the wheel. Im not saying she deserved this or the victim deserved this but people make choices. It is not The Pubs responsibility to be a baby sitter. They obvisouly had some kind of trust in Bess to make the best descision possible considering she has been working there for a while. Punishment should be given where punishment is due not attack the pub fully because a grown adult decided drink & drive. She has apparently gotten in trouble for drinking and driving already shouldnt the responsibility be focused on her. It is an unfortunate situation that this happened. My prayers are with Bess that she will be strong & have faith in god and learn her lesson. My prayers are alson with the victims family.
I don't think that the Pub should be held responsible. Ms. Jones admitted to leaving the Pub and going to Finnigan's, how did she get in there SO late and how many drinks did she have while there? In my opinion, if The Pub is under investigation, then Finnigan's should be too! And yes, maybe the Pub was in the wrong for letting her back in there, but how did they know that she apparently consumed so much alcohol to make her intoxicated. We are ALL responsible for our own actions, and should not BLAME other people or try to blame a place that serves alcohol for our actions! If we choose to drive, then it is us that should be placed at Blame. No One Else! And the Pub or any other bar for that matter can stop serving people when they believe that person has had enough, but you can always go somewhere else and drink! And lots of times, people have alcohol in their vehicles for after the clubs or whatever! So just face reality, Ms. Jones messed up, But she is taking responsibility!
The Pub should of course be responsible for allowing employees to get into their cars drunk and go onto the highways. What are laws for? Obey the law. This is an irresponsible place of business and should suffer the penalty.
I completely agree with pub visitor--I too have been in The Pub as a patron afterhours drinking, playing pool, and so forth--although it was several years ago. However, people need to know that this happens all over Harrisonburg at restaurants and at bars. Employees often drink after hours (along with "regulars") and if they don't go to another closed down bar, they go to a co-worker's house to drink more. I have seen this happen and it is no surprise to me that the drunk driver did this. While The Pub cannot be blamed for the lack of responsibility on the employee's part, they still should be held accountable for the law-breaking that goes on there. It truly worries me that someone had to die for this to come to light...my thoughts and condolences are extended to the victim's family.
As a visitor of the pub numerous times, I myslef have stayed after last call, and much after closing. I myself have been at the Pub till at least 4am, being served drinks as a regular patron, and also watching the employees get obliterated. I know for a fact, that numerous employees leave this establishment much later than state law allows and watch everyone get into their cars for a drunken ride home. I do feel as if they should be held alittle responsible, considering this has been allowed to go on for so long, and now we know why they put rules in place for these buisnesses. I know I will be watching to see if anything changes after this, which I doubt it will.
I have to wonder if Dee read her own comment. Are we really concerned about the drunk driver taking her life into her own hands. The point is she killed an innocent person. I hope her night of drinking was worth it.
This is truly a life changing period of time for many people directly and indirectly connected to both of the individuals that this tragic event affected. In our thoughts and reactions, as a community we should be turning to our faith and speaking encouragement into the lives of those discouraged. Pray for those who make mistakes regardless of their weight. We have all been in situations that could have negatively impacted others, but thankfully we all have God's grace. Times like this call for individuals within the community to pray.