Lawsuit: Bars Played Role In Deadly DUI Crash

(Cincinnati, Oh.) - Two Cincinnati bars are targeted in a new lawsuit after two women from the Harrison area died in a drunk driving crash two years ago.

 

Nicole Riddle, of West Harrison, and her fiancé Wesley Krause, of Sunman, were out drinking the evening of February 4, 2010. They had made a good decision not to drive home and called Krause’s mother, Mary Krause, of Harrison, to pick them up.

 

As the group drove home on Interstate 74 in Hamilton County’s Green Township, their car was rear-ended at high speed by a Jeep driven by Michelle Knapp.

 

Knapp was found after the accident to have a BAC of .136, over Ohio’s legal driving limit of .08. The 25-year-old had been drinking earlier in the evening at two bars in Western Hills: TGI Fridays and the Pirates Den.

 

After pleading guilty to two counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Knapp was ordered to serve eight years in prison when sentenced the August following the tragic accident that a new lawsuit claims was avoidable.

 

The lawsuit was filed on Thursday, January 26 in a Hamilton County court representing the Estate of Mary Kraus, the Estate of Nicole Riddle, and Wesley Krause.

 

Several defendants are listed including: Ohio Valley Bistros, Inc. doing business as TGI Fridays; Golden Dome Properties LLC doing business as Pirates Den and Patio; bar owner Lawrence Hemsath; Rian Umbach; and five John Does.

 

The plaintiffs claim the two bars were negligent in serving Knapp drinks when she was already intoxicated.

 

LINKS:

 

Woman Sentenced For Double Fatal DUI Crash

More from Local News

Events

Arrest Made After Wanted Person Check at Home on Salt Fork Road

The Dearborn County Sheriff's Office issued a press release on Wednesday.

One Day Closure Announced for Union Ridge Road

This closure is part of the ongoing North Hogan Road Bridge project.

SD's Ballart Ready to Sign with U of L

Ballart received his official offer this month after being verbally committed since last September.

East Central Girls Basketball Enjoys Stellar Summer

The Lady Trojans won a bunch of games and had five players invited to a prestigious event.

Local Sports Report - August 4, 2025

Report missing high school stats and scores to news@eaglecountryonline.com

On Air

Rick Bernius playing
Miranda Lambert - Settling Down

Chris Stapleton Starting Over 16:36
Larry Gatlin Broken Lady 16:33
Holly Dunn You Really Had Me Going 16:27
Old Dominion Make It Sweet 16:23