FALL CREEK, Ore. – The family of a man killed in a drunk driving crash in Fall Creek in 2023 is suing the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, claiming a park ranger’s negligence caused the death by allowing the driver to drink.
The estate of Robert Hunter filed the suit Monday for $2 million and demands a jury trial for allegations of wrongful death based on negligence and recklessness. According to the lawsuit, Hunter was with a group of friends at Fisherman’s Point on May 4 of that year, including James Metzler.
Metzler was visibly drunk, according to the lawsuit, and was drinking in the day-use only area where alcohol is banned. Around 7:30 p.m., a park ranger encountered the group and offered them a trash bag to clean up their beer cans. She also allegedly told the group that the area was day-use only and asked Metzler to move his car away from the gate while visibly drunk, according to the lawsuit…