Frenchtown Bar Owner Denies Charges In Fatal Crash

The owner of a Frenchtown bar that is accused of continuing to serve alcohol to an intoxicated customer who later died in a car crash has denied a misdemeanor charge of unlawful sale of alcohol.

Thomas Michael Porter entered his plea in Justice Court on Thursday. Jade Carole Thomas, a 27-year-old former bartender for Porter, has pleaded not guilty to the same charge.

The charges were filed after the Sept. 27, 2010, death of 33-year-old Erika Ringleb, whose blood-alcohol concentration was three times the legal limit. Court records say Ringleb was drinking beer at the Alcan that morning and had four shots of whiskey before she left and crashed her car.

Porter also is charged with obstructing a peace officer for allegedly lying during the investigation.

Associated Press