Torrance Drug Rehab Center Sued For Wrongful Death In Fatal DUI Case

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The family of a Torrance man who was fatally struck by a car driven by a drunk substance-abuse counselor filed a wrongful death lawsuit Thursday against the woman's employer.

Sherri Wilkins is serving 55-years-to-life in prison for the death of Phillip Moreno, 31.

Moreno was killed on Nov. 24, 2012 after Wilkens, 53, left her job at the Twin Town Treatment Center. According to police, Wilkins had consumed three single-serving bottles of vodka and a can of beer that night.

She reportedly drove two miles "with Moreno splayed out across her windshield before motorists swarmed her at a traffic light and forced her to stop," the lawsuit alleges.

The suit, filed in LA Superior Court, claims the Twin Town Treatment Center failed to properly monitor Wilkins, a former addict, who would allegedly conduct treatment sessions while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"This accident was foreseeable and preventable if Sherri Wilkins' supervisors had acted on the red flags," said attorney Brian Kabateck.