The Clubhouse Hamptons blamed for allegedly serving tequila shots before crash

The victim of a 2023 hit-and-run claims that a Hamptons venue had let the driver who hit him get drunk on tequila shots while underage and bears legal responsibility for the crash, according to a lawsuit filed Monday and the victim's lawyer.

The venue and defendant, The Clubhouse Hamptons on Daniels Hole Road in East Hampton, also failed to seek an ID from the driver, says the suit, filed in state Supreme Court in Suffolk. The driver, Miguel Angel Mizhquiri, of Montauk, was born in October 2002. The crash took place on Aug. 26, 2023.

Just before midnight that night, after leaving The Clubhouse, Mizhquiri drove a short distance toward Montauk Highway, ignored a stop sign and made an “improper” left turn, striking the Toyota pickup truck driven by the plaintiff, East End helicopter mechanic David Carman, of Montauk, and born in 1994, according to court papers.

“They served him tequila underage, and they got him intoxicated, and he went through a stop sign, and then drove all the way to Amagansett with half his car wrecked,” Carman’s lawyer, Edmond Chakmakian, of Hauppauge, told Newsday, adding: “The Clubhouse, nice place, they have an arcade and bowling, nice venue with food and stuff, but they dropped the ball on this one, and my guy’s paying the price for it.”

Mizhquiri was arrested, charged with drunken driving and ticketed for leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, according to a copy of the police report filed in civil court records. The criminal case disposition wasn't available, but Chakmakian said Mizhquiri received an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, which seals the records.

The crash left Carman with serious injuries to his head, body and nervous system, the suit says. Chakmakian said Carman is still being treated for spinal injuries.

“My client, thank God it wasn’t worse. He’s banged up,” Chakmakian said.

The suit, which did not specify the amount of monetary damages sought, cites New York’s Dram Shop law, with roots in the 19th century, that holds purveyors of alcohol responsible if a person who is underage, visibly intoxicated or both goes on to cause someone else harm.

Scott Rubenstein, The Clubhouse’s managing partner, told Newsday that the venue has checked credit card receipts, but “we didn’t show any record of him being here.”

"We take it very seriously to proof and card and do our best to make sure the cards are legitimate, that they’re of age,” Rubenstein said. But fake IDs “are getting better and better,” he said, and there should be harsher punishment for those who use them.

Rubenstein declined to comment further but said, “I hope everyone is OK. That’s most important.”

Carman declined through Chakmakian to be interviewed. Mizhquiri couldn’t be reached for comment, and his lawyer Amy Korcz, of Smithtown, didn’t return a message.

Carman had initially sued Mizhquiri and later settled with the insurance company for a nominal but confidential sum, according to Chakmakian.

He said that during a deposition, Mizhquiri acknowledged he had been served tequila at The Clubhouse.

In 2019, Newsday included The Clubhouse in its “Hamptons and Montauk on the cheap” feature, saying there was an entertainment center, no cover charge and an outdoor bar. 

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.