Murrells Inlet bars gave intoxicated man drinks, suit says. He later caused multi-car crash
Two popular Murrells Inlet bars are accused of providing alcohol to an intoxicated man, who later allegedly drove drunk and caused a crash.
Suck Bang Blow and Acme Bar & Grill are named in a lawsuit that claims the bartenders and employees served Allen VanDeusen in a “volume and manner” that caused him to become “extremely” intoxicated.
Messages left with both bars were not returned by publication.
VanDeusen is also named in the lawsuit, as well as Kris Venditto, owner of Acme Bar & Grill; Four Snakes Capital and Highway 17 Investments (Suck Bang Blow); and Murrells Inlet Management Group.
The suit, filed April 29, 2025 by Gregory Matarazzo and Christine House, alleges that VanDeusen went to both Acme Bar & Grill and Suck Bang Blow on April 30, 2022, where he was served alcoholic beverages. Bartenders and servers should have known that VanDeusen was intoxicated when they continued to serve him drinks, the suit says.
About 5 p.m. on April 30, 2022, in Surfside Beach, Matarazzo and House were stopped at a red light when VanDeusen hit the vehicle from behind at a high rate of speed, causing the vehicle to hit other vehicles in front of them, the suit said. Both Matarazzo and House received serious bodily injuries.
VanDeusen was charged with driving under the influence – his fourth offense, according to court records.
The suit claims that both bars had a duty to prevent intoxicated customers from leaving or to provide safe transportation from the premises.
Matarazzo and House are asking for a jury trial.
