Parents Sue Hotel Over Death of Pa. Teen Worker Who Drove Drunk

August 6, 2007

The parents of a teen killed in a car crash after working a 16-hour shift sued the Pennsylvania hotel where he worked.

The lawsuit alleges the owners of the Ramada Inn of Historic Ligonier were negligent when they allowed 17-year-old Sean Nemcheck to work 16 hours, have access to alcohol while working and then drive home drunk.

Nemcheck, of Cook Township, was killed on his way home the morning of Feb. 19, 2006. He worked as a dishwasher and waiter at the hotel.

The hotel’s owner, Hospitality Group Services, agreed in August 2006 to pay more than $4,200 in fines after being charged by the state with violating child-labor laws.

Police determined the teen was driving drunk when he crashed through a fence and into a pond, but authorities never figured out where he got the alcohol. Nemcheck worked a double shift and clocked out just after 3 a.m. before crashing a short time later in Ligonier Township.

In their lawsuit, the Nemchecks contend the hotel should not have allowed their son to work such a long shift. They also allege the hotel knew the teen had unfettered access to alcohol while working.

Hotel co-manager Debra Fox declined comment on the lawsuit.

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Information from: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, http://pghtrib.com

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Latest Comments

  • March 31, 2009 at 9:41 am
    s.b. says:
    okay well you know sean was my cousin and i would really like it if you wouldnt blame my aunt and uncle. it wasnt their fault that he worked that long it was the hotels fault.... read more
  • August 13, 2007 at 10:17 am
    Lunatic says:
    Just a point of clarification...I believe the August 2006 fine for violation of child labor laws was specifically for this incident and is not simply a pattern of lawbreaking ... read more
  • August 8, 2007 at 11:00 am
    Abe says:
    I agree the parents are at fault. This is no different than in CHina where parents make their kids work in dirty factories for pennies on the dollar just to put food on the ta... read more

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