Parents in teen drinking case now being sued

A lawsuit has been filed accusing the Deerfield couple convicted of allowing teenagers to drink at a party in their home with contributing to the death of one of the guests.

The family of Ross Trace, one of two 18-year-olds killed when a car crashed into a tree near the party, is seeking more than $50,000 from Jeffrey and Sara Hutsell.

The Hutsells were convicted in July of three misdemeanors in connection with the Oct. 13, 2006, party at which close to 30 teens partied in the basement of their home while the Hutsells were present.

"The Traces are taking this action in memory of their son and to make the point that this type of activity can not be allowed," Waukegan attorney Scott Gibson said. "In some ways, the civil court system can serve to be more of a deterrent than the criminal court system."

Trace was one of five people at the party who left in a car being driven by Daniel Bell, also of Deerfield, that went out of control on Summit Drive and struck a tree.

Bell had a blood alcohol content of .132 percent at the time of the crash, well above the legal level of intoxication for adults of .08 percent.

The suit claims the Hutsells were aware the teens were drinking alcohol in their home and failed to "monitor, supervise or control" the illegal activities.

The suit also names their son, Jonathan Tyler Hutsell, as a defendant, although he was never charged with a crime in connection with the party.

His parents were convicted of violating the state liquor control act, endangering the health of a child and obstruction of justice.

Both were placed on probation and ordered to do community service, and Jeffrey Hutsell was sentenced to two weeks in jail while not working.

The suit seeks compensation for Trace's wrongful death, pain and suffering and medical and burial expenses.

Gibson said the Hutsell's have 30 days to respond to the suit, at which point court dates will be set.