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DENVER (KDVR) — Two lawsuits were filed last week against Coban Porter and a Denver bar in connection to a February 2023 crash that killed a 42-year-old woman and seriously injured a 47-year-old man.
The lawsuits were filed by the family of Katharina Rothman, who died in the crash, as well as Jason Blanch, who was seriously injured.
Porter, who is the younger brother of Denver Nuggets player Michael Porter, Jr., was charged with vehicular homicide in February 2023 in connection to the crash. He pleaded not guilty in October 2023.
Lawsuits filed in January 2024
The Rothman family lawsuit was filed on Jan. 18, 2024, and the Blanch lawsuit was filed on Jan 21.
The lawsuits were not filed by the same law firm, but they do contain several similarities.
Both lawsuits allege that Porter began drinking at the Crimson and Gold Tavern sports bar and was “visibly intoxicated.” He left the bar just before the 2 a.m. closing time and began driving a 2014 Ford Edge.
He was eastbound on East Butchel Boulevard, and the lawsuits alleged that he was driving at approximately 50 mph, or 20 mph over the speed limit.
A probable cause statement filed in January also alleged that Porter was going approximately 50 mph.
Porter’s vehicle crashed into a 2023 Tesla T3 driven by Katharina Rothman, who was northbound on South University Boulevard. Rothman was operating as an Uber driver for passenger Jason Blanch at the time.
According to both lawsuits, Rothman had a green light and Porter did not. He failed to yield the right-of-way, causing the crash.
Porter’s blood was taken at a local hospital after the crash, and he allegedly had a blood alcohol content of .20, which exceeded the legal limit of .08, according to the lawsuit filed by Blanch.
Both lawsuits contend that Porter’s negligence in driving while intoxicated led to the crash, which caused the death of Rothman and the serious injury of Blanch.
The lawsuits also contend that Crimson and Gold Tavern employees knew, or should have known, that serving Porter while he was visibly intoxicated was potentially dangerous and that serving Porter alcohol was one of the causes of the crash.
Both complaints demanded a jury trial. Neither lawsuit gave specifics on the amount of damages being sought.
Porter was a player for the Denver University men’s basketball team at the time of the crash. However, he was not listed on the 2022-23 or the 2023-24 team rosters.
Representatives for the two defendants named in the lawsuits were not available for comment as of publishing.
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