Bars to pay $1 million in drunk driving crash

GOODYEAR, AZ - Two west Valley bars are entering an agreement to pay out a total of $1 million after a man who was drinking at the establishments was involved in a deadly crash.

Alisha Trejo died in October of 2010 when she was hit while on her motorcycle near the intersection of Indian School and Citrus in Goodyear.

"She found joy in everything," said her husband Christopher. "It really isn't about the money. It's about holding responsible people accountable and the only way to do that in this society is with money."

Trejo's attorney Geoffrey Trachtenberg said that getting bars and restaurants held accountable in these types of cases can be very difficult. He said often times it is hard to get the testimony from people who were at a bar who can account for when a bartender is serving people who are clearly intoxicated.

"When someone is under the influence, their judgment is impaired and while we do rightfully hold them accountable, we also have rules in place that hold the bars accountable as well," he said.

In this case, Trachtenberg said most of the drinking the driver did was at home but then was still served at Calico Jacks in Glendale and at Taps in Goodyear even though he said there was evidence he was drunk.

Adrian Guzman, a former MCSO detention officer is serving time for the crime. Records indicate he was more than three times the legal limit.  

Trachtenberg said just this week the bars agreed before a judge to pay the Trejo family $1 million dollars.

ABC15 was unable to reach anyone at those establishments for comment.

Alisha Trejo also leaves behind a young daughter.