Court blocks civil suit against Deerfield parents

May 19, 2011 (SPRINGFIELD, Ill.)

The state's high court ruled Sara and Jeffrey Hutsell did not voluntarily try to stop underage drinking during a party at their house in 2006. Therefore, their actions cannot be considered negligent.

Daniel Bell died when he smashed his car into a tree. His passenger, Ross Trace, also died.

The court stated holding the Hutsells civilly liable would be the same as "punishing people for thinking out loud."

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