Alcohol Served to Underaged Firefighter Leads to $35 Million Suit Against Fire Department

A Tennessee volunteer firefighter who was served alcohol at a fire department reception has filed a multi-million dollar negligence lawsuit against the fire department, the fire chief, a police detective, and three other individuals.

Nathan Mumpower was severely injured on July 30, 2009 following the reception when his vehicle crashed into a utility pole and tree, leaving him with brain and spinal cord injuries. Mumpower was 19 at the time, and spent 62 days a specialized hospital in Atlanta, amassing over $700,000 in medical bills.

The alcohol was served following a Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Department awards ceremony at the home of a deceased assistant fire chief. His widow was also named as a defendant, as was the County.

The detective named in the suit was off-duty and had come to the party briefly to pick up his son who had also been drinking. The suit alleges that he observed Mumpower to be intoxicated and knew he would be driving himself home, but made no effort to stop him. The detective was subsequently dismissed from the force following an internal investigation.

Mumpower remains charged with DWI and is scheduled to be arraigned in September, 2010.