In a heartbreaking case that underscores the dangers of irresponsible alcohol service, the parents of a young boy killed by a drunk driver are holding a popular restaurant chain accountable for their devastating loss.

This legal battle centers on the death of 13-year-old Leonardo "Leo" Camacho, who was fatally struck in June 2020, with his family now seeking $95 million from Texas Roadhouse for allegedly contributing to the tragedy. As reported by the Daily Mail, the case raises serious questions about corporate responsibility in preventing impaired driving.

The incident unfolded on June 16, 2020, when Leo was assisting his father, Jose Camacho, with yard work at Christ Culture Center Church in Cumming, Georgia. A white SUV driven by Katie Pancione veered off the road, jumped the curb, and slammed into the teen, sending his body flying into the church parking lot. Despite being rushed to a hospital in critical condition, Leo tragically passed away three days later.

Tragic Loss Sparks Legal Fight

Jose Camacho also suffered an ankle injury in the crash, adding physical pain to the family’s unimaginable grief. Leo’s parents, Jose and Daniela Torres, argue that Texas Roadhouse bears partial responsibility for this nightmare because a bartender at the restaurant served Pancione a pint of Michelob Ultra despite her alleged intoxication.

The family’s attorney, Dax Lopez, told the court that Pancione’s blood alcohol concentration was three times Georgia’s legal limit at the time of the crash. “She was noticeably intoxicated,” Lopez argued, claiming the bartender knew or should have known she was likely to drive after drinking. If true, this paints a damning picture of negligence in an era when over-serving is too often excused as "just business."

Pancione arrived at Texas Roadhouse at 6:18 p.m. that evening, reportedly already impaired with a blood alcohol level of 0.225, according to an expert cited by Lopez. While waiting for a to-go order, she ordered and consumed most of a pint of beer before leaving around 6:30 p.m. Within minutes, witnesses saw her driving erratically, a disaster waiting to happen.

Timeline of a Preventable Disaster

At 6:36 p.m., Pancione’s SUV struck Leo and Jose, after which she fled the scene, showing a chilling disregard for the lives she shattered. She was arrested three hours later at her boyfriend’s home, with a blood alcohol level still registering at 0.176—double the state’s legal limit of 0.08. This wasn’t just a lapse in judgment; it was a catastrophic failure with deadly consequences.

Texas Roadhouse, however, denies any wrongdoing, with their attorney Jeremiah Byrne insisting Pancione showed no signs of intoxication during her brief 13-minute stay at the restaurant. “That one light beer didn’t cause the accident,” Byrne argued, pointing the finger squarely at Pancione for texting while driving. While personal responsibility matters, shouldn’t a restaurant also be held to account for ignoring red flags?

Byrne even presented surveillance footage to the jury, claiming it proves the bartender acted appropriately in serving Pancione. Lopez, for his part, conceded she wasn’t “falling down drunk” at the bar, but does subtle impairment escape accountability in a culture quick to normalize risky behavior? This defense feels like a sidestep when a child’s life was the cost.

Accountability or Deflection in Court?

Pancione, who was 38 at the time and navigating a divorce, faced criminal consequences for her actions, pleading guilty in August 2023 to felony first-degree homicide by vehicle. She also admitted to hit-and-run charges involving death and serious injury, earning a sentence of five years in prison followed by five years of probation.

Additionally, Pancione settled civil claims with Leo’s family for $2.6 million, a sum that pales against the $95 million now sought from Texas Roadhouse. Her testimony is expected in this ongoing trial, which could stretch over a week and may finally clarify her state at the restaurant. Will her words sway the jury, or simply deepen the tragedy’s sting?

The Camacho family’s pursuit of justice against Texas Roadhouse isn’t just about money—it’s a demand for accountability in a society too often lenient on establishments profiting from overindulgence. While progressive voices might frame this as an overreach, conservatives can see it as a stand for personal and corporate responsibility, values at the heart of a functioning community.

Seeking Justice for Leo’s Memory

Critics of the lawsuit might argue that Pancione alone bears the blame, especially given her guilty plea and settlement. Yet, if a bartender indeed served an already impaired customer, isn’t that a link in the chain of this preventable horror? This case isn’t about vilifying a business but ensuring safety isn’t sacrificed for a quick buck.

The jury now faces a weighty decision: does Texas Roadhouse share liability for Leo’s death, or does the fault rest solely with the driver? In a world where personal accountability is often dodged, this trial could set a precedent for how far businesses must go to protect the public.

Leo Camacho’s story is a gut-wrenching reminder of the ripple effects of negligence, from a family’s loss to a community’s grief. As this trial unfolds, it’s worth pondering whether stricter oversight of alcohol service could spare other parents such agony. Let’s hope the verdict honors Leo’s memory with a push for real change, not just empty gestures.