Batten v. Bobo

On March 17, 1984 defendants Lynda and Robert Bobo hosted a party at their parents (Ronald and Margaret Heller) residence. Refreshments were provided, which included alcoholic beverages. The plaintiffs decedent, James Batten, age 15, attended the party and thereafter, in the early morning hours of March 18, 1984 operated a dirt bike for a joyride with another minor, John Bobo, as a passenger. The dirt bike collided with a Haddon Heights police car and both James Batten and John Bobo were killed. In a police report of the accident, Lynda Bobo stated that James Batten had been drinking beer "very heavily," although later when deposed she could not remember whether Batten had been drinking.