$5.4 Million Settlement Reached in Fatal Charleston DUI

Chuck Dukes
CHARLESTON, S.C. — A case involving a 32-year-old Chicago man who was killed by a drunk driver in Charleston recently resolved for $5.4 million.
In January 2019, William Kappel, Jr. (deceased), his wife Laura, and Jacqueline Zink traveled to Charleston to visit their friend Joseph Murray, who had recently moved to the Lowcountry from Chicago. As they were heading home from an evening out in downtown Charleston, their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver.
Crash data revealed that the drunk driver, Cade Garris, reached speeds of 74 mph in a 35 mph zone moments before he ran a red light on Meeting Street and caused the fatal collision. Plaintiffs’ investigation revealed that Garris had been drinking at two establishments in downtown Charleston before he got behind the wheel to drive home. Later toxicology results also indicated that Garris was over twice the legal limit at the time of the collision.
Garris was underinsured and the bar defendants funded the bulk of the settlement. As a part of the settlement, one bar defendant will donate $25,000 to a foundation started in honor of Billy Kappel, implement annual safe-service alcohol training for its staff to help prevent similar tragedies in the future, and significantly lengthen its surveillance footage retention policy.
Under the terms of the parties’ settlement, other details, including the identities of the bar defendants and their attorneys, are unavailable.
Billy’s estate, Laura Kappel, and Jacqueline Zink were represented by Chuck Dukes of Rogers, Patrick Westbrook & Brickman, and Chris Moore and Terry Richardson of Richardson, Thomas, Haltiwanger, Moore & Lewis. Joseph Murray was represented by John Moylan and Lucy Dinkins of Wyche, P.A.
The settlement was finalized on Feb. 18th in front of U.S. District Court Judge David C. Norton.
Our Experienced Lawyers
How can we help? Fill out the form for a free case review.
Contact Us
- Toll Free: 888.293.6883
Case Types
Related Posts
May 01, 2023
Trial Lawyer Deon Tedder Joins RPWB
Trial attorney Deon Tedder has joined Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC, where he will focus on personal injury, mass torts and criminal defense work out of the firm’s Mount Pleasant and Columbia offices. Tedder joins RPWB after working at David Aylor Law Offices for the past five years, where he helped many clients in […]
READ MOREFeb 03, 2023
Johnson & Johnson Talc Bankruptcy Petition Dismissal is a Win for Mesothelioma and Ovarian Cancer Victims
By Dave Butler In a significant victory for injured consumers, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the bankruptcy petition of a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that holds the company’s liabilities for claims brought by thousands of consumers injured by exposure to asbestos-contaminated talc in Johnson & Johnson products. The dismissal, on January 30, 2023, […]
READ MORENov 03, 2022
U.S. News & World Report: RPWB is a Top National Law Firm for Mass Torts & Class Actions
CHARLESTON, S.C. — RPWB is incredibly proud to be selected as one of the top national law firms for mass torts and class actions by U.S. News & World Report. RPWB is officially listed as a Tier 1 law firm for such cases, the highest possible designation. In addition to the national selection, RPWB also […]
READ MOREOct 12, 2022
How Do Camp Lejeune Lawsuits Actually Work?
You’ve no doubt seen the ads on television, but did you ever wonder how Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits actually work? Our team breaks it down for you. RPWB has filed its first administrative claims with the Navy JAG, the first step in the litigation process under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. The JAG is tasked […]
READ MOREAug 18, 2022
With Sixteen Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers List, RPWB is the Top-Listed Product Liability and Class Action Law Firm in the State
Sixteen RPWB attorneys were selected for the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® list for numerous practice areas including personal injury, product liability, mass tort, class action and medical malpractice litigation. This marks the sixth consecutive year in which RPWB is the top-listed plaintiff law firm in South Carolina for both product liability […]
READ MOREAug 10, 2022
With a New Law, Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Victims Finally Have Legal Recourse
For more than 30 years, the drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was contaminated with a cocktail of dangerous toxins linked to cancer, leukemia, Parkinson’s disease and other serious medical conditions. Now after intense lobbying by veteran’s groups and others, victims of Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water have legal recourse for compensation. On Wednesday, […]
READ MOREAug 03, 2022
Congress Passes Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Law
Over a 34-year period, many thousands of Marines and their families were exposed to dangerous water contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. After a long wait, justice may finally be in sight. Congress approved bi-partisan legislation on Tuesday night that will clear the way for veterans and their families to seek compensation in federal […]
READ MOREJul 05, 2022
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Law Close to Passing, Would Finally Bring Justice to Veterans and their Families
A bill that is close to becoming law could finally provide justice and financial relief to veterans and their families for health problems caused by water contamination at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The bi-partisan Honoring our PACT Act of 2021 has passed both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. It was sent […]
READ MOREJun 21, 2022
RPWB Helped Doctors Get Refunds for Non-Conforming Records Software
RPWB attorneys played a leading role in more than 5,000 doctors’ offices receiving refunds for being misled about their electronic medical record software qualifying for Medicare and Medicaid incentives. For years, Greenway Health sold software it claimed was certified under the federal government’s “Meaningful Use” program. That program includes financial incentives designed to reward physicians […]
READ MOREApr 28, 2022
Federal Court Certifies Fair Labor Standards Act Collective Action Against Las Vegas Restaurant
A federal district court has authorized notice to current and former employees of the Boiling Crab restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada who were employed at any time between March 23, 2018 and October 26, 2020. The notice permits current and former workers to opt-in to the pending litigation alleging that employees were improperly denied compensation […]
READ MOREApr 26, 2022
Whistleblower Case Involving Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Settles for $24.5 million
Physician Partners of America, of Tampa, Fla., has agreed to repay the federal government $24.5 million in a settlement to resolve four whistleblower cases brought under the False Claims Act. Current and former employees of the company came forward to allege that the company billed Medicare and Medicaid for unnecessary medical testing and services, paid […]
READ MOREApr 05, 2022
EPA Proposes Asbestos Ban
Many people do not realize it, but asbestos is not banned in the United States despite the fact it kills thousands of Americans each year by causing mesothelioma cancer and other forms of lung disease. That might be about to change. The EPA has announced it intends to ban the known carcinogen using new authority […]
READ MOREApr 04, 2022
Asbestos Awareness Week Shines Light on Mesothelioma, a Cancer that Continues to Devastate
The first week of April 2022 is Asbestos Awareness Week in the United States. Members of both houses of Congress unanimously approved resolutions making the designation. Once ubiquitous in worksites and homes throughout the country, we are still experiencing the negative health effects of asbestos decades after its peak use. Mesothelioma, the insidious cancer caused […]
READ MORENov 04, 2021
U.S. News: RPWB is a Best Law Firm for National Mass Torts & Class Actions
RPWB is a top plaintiff law firm for our work on national mass torts and class actions, according to the 2022 Best Law Firm rankings by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to the national ranking for mass torts/class actions, RPWB was listed as a Best Law Firm for personal injury, product liability, medical […]
READ MOREOct 06, 2021
Jury Awards $8.2 million to Soldier in 3M Military Earplugs Case
Pensacola, Fla. – Another federal jury has found 3M liable for producing defective earplugs that caused our nation’s veterans to suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus. On October 1, 2021, jurors awarded $8.2 million to Army veteran Brandon Adkins of Washington, marking the third trial in which plaintiffs have been awarded money from 3M to […]
READ MORE