Curtis Harper, 22, of Franklin, in court. 6/18/12
- Updated on 4:03 p.m.
The suspect in a triple-fatal hit-and-run accident back in May now faces a $10 million law suit in addition to his criminal charges.
The spouse of Nelson A. Soto, Sr. is also suing his parents and the bar that served him alcohol that night.
Her suit stated that the Curtis Harper's parents owned the silver 2004 Ford Explorer the suspect was driving the night he allegedly stuck and killed Soto, Chasity E. Thornell and her unborn child.
The lawsuit cited the suspect's parents, Herb and Pam Harper, as negligent claiming that they allowed their son to drive their car despite his poor driving record, which included another drunk-driving charge in 2009.
The lawsuit also stated that the Knoxville bar, The Hill, knowingly served Harper alcohol even though the servers knew, or should have known, he was already drunk.
The staff and management of The Hill said they "regret the untimely deaths" of Soto, Thornell and her unborn child. In a statement, the Hill denied that they "over-served" Harper or that he was impaired when he was severed there. The bar's management stressed that they have a strict policy against "over-serving" patrons.
Soto's wife and her attorney Greg Isaacs are asking for $10 million in total.
The accident occurred on Washington Pike on May 30th.
Curtis Harper faces multiple charges including vehicular homicide and DUI. Harper's trial is set for next April.