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Kentucky bar accused of over-serving driver in wrong-way crash that killed Metro Detroit family of 5

Joey Bailey had BAC 4 times legal limit at time of crash, officials say

Abbas family. (WDIV)

DETROIT – A Kentucky bar is accused of over-serving a man who killed a Metro Detroit family of five in a wrong-way crash in Lexington, officials said.

Horseshoes Kentucky Grill & Saloon has been issued a show cause order for serving alcohol to Joey Bailey, 41, of Georgetown, before he caused the crash that killed the Abbas family and himself, according to authorities.

The Lexington Alcoholic Beverage Control Office gave the bar notice this week of an alleged violation of selling alcoholic beverages to patrons who are under the influence.

READ: Community on Abbas crash: 'Such a large part of our lives has just been ripped from us'

Bailey was driving the wrong was on northbound I-75 around 2:30 a.m. Jan. 6 when he struck the Abbas family's Cadillac Escalade head-on, according to police. The crash caused the SUV to catch fire, and all five family members -- Issam Abbas, 42; Dr. Rima Abbas, 38; and their children, Ali, 14; Isabella, 13; and Giselle, 7 -- were killed.

Abbas family (WDIV)

A toxicology report from the Fayette County Coroner's Office showed Bailey had a blood-alcohol level of .306 at the time of the crash, which is four times the legal limit.

Investigators from the Lexington Police Department said Bailey had been drinking at Horseshoes and another bar outside of Lexington on the night of the crash.

MORE: Hundreds attend vigil to remember Northville family killed in Kentucky crash

Bailey left Horseshoes and drove his 2015 Chevrolet Silverado onto the northbound lanes of I-75 at the North Broadway/Paris Pike ramp, police said. Several drivers reported passing or avoiding the pickup truck as he drove the wrong way with one headlight out.

The Abbas family

The crash happened in the left lane about 6 miles from where Bailey entered the freeway.

Police said Bailey had been driving about 70-80 mph at the time of the crash.

A pre-hearing conference between the Lexington ABC office and Horseshoes is scheduled for Feb. 19.

A separate investigation by Kentucky ABC is ongoing.

WATCH: Rep. Debbie Dingell honors Abbas family

Here is a statement from the bar:

"This is such a horrific event with this tragic loss of life for all of the families involved. We know that law enforcement is investigating the facts surrounding this and we have cooperated with them as they have requested. We have turned this over to our representative to have the facts determined, and we will have no more public comment at this time."

You can watch previous coverage of the crash in the videos below.


About the Author
Derick Hutchinson headshot

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

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