Every now and then a story comes across the wire you can’t possibly believe to be true until you read it, but here’s the headline: Man Dies After Taking 23 Shots in 30 Mins. Unbelievable, but sadly true:
A Florida man died Tuesday after taking more than two dozen shots of cherry vodka within a half hour, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office.
“We have witnesses that have described the victim as taking anywhere from 23 to 25 shots in 30 minutes,” Hillsborough County Sheriff’s spokesman J.D. Callaway told ABCNEWS.com.
Eric Morris, 26, was allegedly taking part in a drinking game with another patron at an adult nightclub, Angels Show Bar, in Seffner, Fla., just hours before he died, according to police.
“Apparently [other bar patrons] were describing the shots as ‘cherry bombs,'” said Callaway, referring to a shot of liquor that is typically made by combining cherry-flavored vodka with Red Bull, a popular energy drink.
While Morris’ drinking buddy, who police declined to identify, stopped playing the game after a few shots, Morris kept going.
One might ask themselves, where was the bartender in this? Well, she was pouring the damned shots!!
“Witnesses told us that the bartender kept setting up glasses of shots for [Morris] and then for whatever reason decided at shot glass 24 or 25 that she wasn’t going to serve him anymore,” Callaway said.
The manager at Angels Show Bar reached by ABCNEWS.com declined to comment until a full autopsy had been performed.
Moments after being refused more alcohol, Morris staggered away from the bar where he had been drinking and collapsed, according to police.
I gotta feeling that bartender might be in a wee bit of trouble before this is all over.
Like, can you can say, “accessory”?
Let this be a valuable equation to all Goodboys out there:
32 shots of vodka + 30 minutes + strip club = eternity
But seriously, some things just make you shake your head. What a tragic story…
I sympathize with the bartender. There should be set limits. NO judgement calls. 23-25 shots is about 25 ounces of liquor. People drink 25oz of beer in that time frame easily. How can the bartender know what the patron’s blood alcohol level is? How much did the patron have before he came in? When I was drinking, it was not unusual for me to be in command of my faculties … until I stood up. I’m OK with holding the bar, not the employee, partially responsible. But only partially.
Comment by Rob — June 30, 2008 @ 9:42 am
Great to hear from you again Rob! On that you’re absolutely right – unless the bartender was holding his head back and tossing the shots down, you can’t really hold her liable, but you can bet someone will try. No one’s responsible for their own actions anymore in this country.
Comment by The Great White Shank — July 1, 2008 @ 1:00 pm