The rich teen who avoided jail after drunk driving through a crowd of people, killing four, may not be rich for much longer.
Ethan Couch, the 16-year-old Texan who was convicted of accelerating over 70 miles an hour into the crowd (then avoided jail due to a case of affluenza) is facing five civil lawsuits from victim’s families that may cost his family their life fortune.
According to NBC:
Eric and Marguerite Boyles are suing on behalf of the estate of Hollie Boyles and her daughter, Shelby Boyles, who were struck and killed by the truck driven by Couch.
The Boyles are seeking damages in excess of $1 million in the case…
Maria Lemus and Jesus Molina are the parents of Sergio Molina, who was riding in the bed of Couch’s truck when he was thrown during the crash. Their son sustained a severe brain injury and is no longer able to move or talk. The family is seeking damages of $20 million.
According to Gawker, the lawsuits also name Couch’s parents and Cleburne Metal Works, the family company, since he was driving a company-owned F-350 super-duty pickup truck at the time of the crash.
If you recall, it’s the same money that victims are asking for that allowed Couch to get away with just probation and avoid a lengthy prison sentence.
His family hired a psychologist to testify that Couch was a victim of “affluenza,” a symptom of his wealth that made him unable to follow the straight and narrow without counseling.
Wonder what they’ll call it now that he’s about to be broke as hell.
