Court hears Lake Co. underage drinking case

SPRINGFIELD — The attorney for parents whose Lake County home hosted an underage drinking party in 2006 told the Illinois Supreme Court Tuesday that hosts are never liable for what guests do after they leave.

So, attorney David Ryan argued, Sara and Jeffrey Hutsell shouldn't be liable for the death of Daniel Bell, 18, who left the party while drunk and drove into a tree on his way home.

Ryan listed similar cases before the seven-justice panel, saying Illinois law prevents hosts from being responsible for injuries to their guests.

“The Hutsells were just as much social hosts as any of the defendants in those cases,” Ryan said.

Bell's attorney, Jeffrey Deutschman, has argued that because the Hutsells didn't provide alcohol to the teenagers, they weren't necessarily hosts under the law and can be sued. He argued Tuesday that the parents volunteered to monitor the party and can therefore be held liable because they didn't prevent Bell from driving.

“They promised that no one would drink and drive,” Deutschman said.

The two attorneys argued before the full court and about a dozen spectators. A decision isn't likely for months.

Justice Bob Thomas of Glen Ellyn questioned Deutschman, asking if parents should be liable even if they didn't specifically know a particular attendee was drunk and leaving the party.

“Seems like a trick question, Justice Thomas,” Deutschman said.

“I don't ask trick questions, only questions,” Thomas replied.

Deutschman ultimately replied to the question by essentially saying yes, because the parents had promised to monitor everyone at the party.

Both Hutsells were convicted on criminal charges in the case and sentenced to probation. In addition, Jeffrey Hutsell was sentenced to a short jail term.