Family reaches $15.6M settlement with South Side restaurant over fatal DUI crash

PITTSBURGH — The family of a 7-year-old girl who was killed by a drunk driver on East Carson Street in 2010 has reached a settlement with the driver and the bar where he was drinking.

“The worst thing I remember is hearing my daughter cry, and not hearing anything from the other,” said Nicole Cleland.

Cleland is still unable to walk well after the violent crash that took the life of her unborn child and her 7-year-old daughter, Alexa, on Dec. 4, 2010.

“We just found out we were pregnant, it was a happy time. Shows you how life can change on a dime,” said Cleland.

According to police, Travis Isiminger, of Greene County, had been drinking at The Hofbrauhaus before getting behind the wheel and slamming into the Cleland’s car. His blood alcohol content was nearly three times the legal limit, police said.

Witnesses told police that Isiminger was extremely drunk, and that he drank the equivalent of a case of beer.

Jack Goodrich, attorney for the Cleland family, said, “The only time he was shut off is when he vomited.  What did they do? He vomited, they escorted him out. They didn't make sure he had a ride home, they made sure he paid his bill.”

Isiminger plead guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, and is serving a 6- to 12-year sentence.

Attorneys said at a news conference Wednesday that The Hofbrauhaus has taken responsibility for serving Isiminger for hours. The restaurant will pay the Cleland family a $15.6 million settlement, as well as make major changes to the bar.

“For Nicole and I, now that there is a dollar figure, it's kinda like blood money for our children and there is a lot of guilt that goes along with it right now,” said Mark Cleland.

Some of the changes to the Hofbrauhaus include implementing better alcohol training for employees, having security guards on hand to identify intoxicated guests, free non-alcoholic drinks for designated drivers and eliminating their famous shot skis.

The money and changes being made will not bring Alexa back. The Cleland family’s only comfort are their daughter’s last words, an understanding of the meaning of Christmas, said Nicole Cleland.

She said, “I couldn't ask for anything more than for my daughter to tell me right before she died that she understood what God was all about.”

WPXI