Two Cousins Killed in Drunk-Driving Crash; Bars and Driver Pay $7.36 Million

On the night of February 5, 2021, a 21-year-old man named William Shetley spent hours drinking at three Spartanburg establishments before getting behind the wheel of his Dodge pickup truck. He started the evening at a bar where he drank two beers with coworkers, then moved to RJ Rockers and later Main Street Pub, where bartenders continued to serve him liquor, beer, and whiskey.

As Shetley sped down Mount Zion Road late that night, he crossed into oncoming lanes and slammed into a Chevrolet pickup at more than 70 mph. The truck was backing into a private driveway. Timothy Jennings, 44, and Christopher Jennings, 38, were killed in the collision. Timothy left a wife and five children. Christopher left a wife and three children. Shetley was arrested and charged with two counts of felony DUI resulting in death.

The families retained Kenneth Berger along with co-counsel Brad Lanford, Toyya Brawley Gray, and Stanley Myers. The legal team pursued not only Shetley but also RJ Rockers and Main Street Pub under South Carolina dram shop law, which makes licensed alcohol vendors liable when they serve visibly intoxicated patrons who then cause harm.

Depositions of bartenders from both bars proved central to the case. One bartender admitted he did not know whether serving an intoxicated patron was illegal. Another could not describe basic rules for responsible alcohol service or explain the significance of alcohol proof. A forensic toxicologist, Dr. David Eagerton, testified about Shetley's level of intoxication at the time of the crash.

On June 30, 2022, the case settled for $7,360,000. Hanover Insurance covered RJ Rockers, Cincinnati Insurance covered Main Street Pub, and Progressive Insurance covered Shetley. The settlement represented full policy limits from both bars. The case, filed as Jennings v. RJ Rockers et al., was heard in Spartanburg County Circuit Court before Judge Grace Knie.