-Avier Wanjou-Brass-

Cousins! 

The family of a teen girl that tragically passed away after leaving a Houston nightclub has issued a lawsuit to the owners based on their belief that they contributed to her death.

The parents of 18-year-old Jesslyn Zuniga are suing Eleven Eleven Nightclub for $20 million dollars. Both of her  parents, Sandy Garza and Jose Zuniga allege the nightclub contributed to their daughter’s death following a drunk driving incident after leaving the nightclub on February 6th.

According to Yahoo! Sports, the lawsuit alleges the teenager was served excessive alcohol, resulting in her death. Also, it argues that the nightclub’s “routine business practice of over-serving alcohol” was the cause of Jesslyn’s death after she and her driver, Herminio Orozco, left the club an hour later. 

The lawsuit accuses the Eleven Eleven Nightclub of publically encouraging self-pouring, plus continuing selling and serving Orozco alcohol while intoxicated and a danger to himself and others.

Houston Chronicle reports multiple witnesses, including Jesslyn’s sister, Joshlyn Zuniga, claims Orozco was intoxicated at the club and remained so even after he left.

Jesslyn’s body was discovered under the East Freeway, after being thrown from a pick-up truck, Orozco was driving when he collided with a white van. Orozco left the scene but admitted to the police he was scared. Currently, Orozco is not facing charges related to drunk driving. But he was hit with a felony charge for failing to stop and render aid.

The attorney representing the family, Rick Ramos, says the nightclub allowed Jesslyn to drink underage and over served Orozco. 

“They’re inviting our kids in there, and it’s like playing Russian roulette with our children. It’s like you feed them all the alcohol they could not handle, and then you’re going to put them on the street,” Ramos said. “Put them behind the wheel, and I don’t know, maybe tonight it’s your turn to die.”

Garza describes her daughter as a “gym rat” who just graduated high school.

“Jesslyn had just graduated high school and was still trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life,” she said. “but had plenty of dreams that she wasn’t able to accomplish.”

Also, she adds that she is grateful that she did not lose both of her children that night due to the nightclub’s behavior.

We are praying for everyone involved in this tragic event.

( (📸: of Joshlyn Zuniga/Houston Chronicle)