Wreck victim sues bar over drinking

Published 12:00 pm Thursday, June 24, 2010

Former Vicksburg police Lt. Todd McBroom, disabled by a June 24, 2007, wreck caused by a drunk driver, has filed a lawsuit against a former city bar.

McBroom and his wife, Dianne, are plaintiffs in the suit that charges employees of the The Loft, formerly operating at 1306A Washington St., served alcohol to Leah Van Norman, 30, who was or became intoxicated and later caused the wreck.

The suit claims three counts of negligence and seeks unspecified damages.

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Van Norman, who lived at 8214 Fisher Ferry Road, pleaded guilty in August to aggravated driving under the influence. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison, a sentence later reduced to 3 years when she agreed to pay McBroom $25,000 restitution.

Both McBroom, who was working as a security guard, and Van Norman have had multiple surgeries as a result of the wreck.

The Loft closed in June 2009 after about four years of operations. It was managed by Angela and Quentin Lovins. Its agent of record on the lawsuit is Mary Jo Wright, 159 Joyce Lane.