Ontario Woman Who Caused $10 Million in Damages After Drunk Driving is Now Suing the Bar

A woman from Ontario who caused around $10 million in damages after drunk driving from a concert and crashing into a home is now suing the company that distributed alcohol at the concert. The incident took place in August 2019 and Daniella Leis, 26, was given a three-year prison sentence in 2021.

After attending a Marilyn Manson concert at the Budweiser Gardens arena in London, Ontario, Daniella Leis got behind the wheel of her Ford Fusion, inebriated. On her way back home, she crashed into a brick home at 450 Woodman Ave. The crash ruptured a gas line and triggered a massive explosion that destroyed four houses. Seven people were injured including two police officers and two firefighters. One of the firefighters had to spend more than a week in a hospital. Leis pled guilty to four counts of impaired driving and was given a three-year prison sentence in 2021.

Because of several fires caused by falling embers, the entire neighborhood had to be evacuated and services like gas and water were shut off. The damages were estimated to be between $9.8 million to $14.7 million.

Now, Daniella and her father Shawn Leis are suing Ovations Ontario Food Services which was the company that distributed the alcohol at the concert. The claim states that the company partially shared the blame for the incident because the staff “ejected Leis from the venue while failing to take steps to ensure she would not drive home.” The claim also states that the company chose to serve her alcohol knowing that she was already intoxicated and it accused them of putting “profit above safety.”

The father-daughter duo believes that the alcohol distributor should also be held partially responsible and if needed, should have to be involved in any reparations that have to be made. The claim states that if the Leis have to pay any amount, then they should get some “contribution and indemnity from [Ovations].”

Vineet Washington