Owner of strip club says driver left angry
By Elissa Harrington KVAL News and KVAL.com StaffEUGENE, Ore. -- Upset over $400 he said was stolen from him, the man accused of driving drunk and causing the worst car wreck in memory left a strip club in Eugene without finishing his drink -- and was not visibly intoxicated when he left, according to the owner and manager of the club. Matthew Ellmers was not visibly intoxicated when he came to The Nile, said Rasool Buesa, owner and manager of The Nile nightclub on Highway 99, which features nude dancing. He said Ellmers only ordered one drink, did not finish it, then left within 20 minutes because he thought someone stole $400 from him. Rasool spoke to KVAL News by phone Tuesday. He was not aware his business had been named in a lawsuit filed Monday. The Nile was one of two businesses named in the suit brought by the guardian for Jakobi Mulgrave, the 10-year-old boy who survived the Jan. 21 crash that killed 4 people, including his mother. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff believes The Nile served a visibly intoxicated Ellmers minutes before the accident at the corner of West 11th Avenue and Bertelsen Road. Rasool said he has lost sleep over the accident but disputes that claim. He said Ellmers was one of only 7 or 8 people in the club at the time, including himself. "This guy was on a mission. He was angry," Buesa said. Ellmers told Buesa he came in with $400 dollars and thought somebody stole it, according to Buesa. He even accused Buesa of robbing him, the manager recalled. Buesa said Ellmers then went outside and called the police about the issue. KVAL News made a public records request for the tape of the call to help verify what took place. The request was denied by the Eugene Police Department. A spokeswoman said the tape is part of a criminal investigation and thus exempt from disclosure under Oregon law. While outside, Buesa said Ellmers got in an argument with the doorman and made threats. He then drove away with the doorman diving out of the way, fearing he might be hit, Buesa said. Buesa witnessed what took place inside the club but did not see the incident with the doorman firsthand. He shared the story, but he would not share the doorman's full name so KVAL News could confirm the report. Buesa said the doorman was considering taking legal action against Ellmers. Buesa said despite his interactions and those of the doorman, he did not believe Ellmers was intoxicated when he left The Nile. |
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