Widow sues Girard business, 3 men over husband's death

The suit accuses the golf dome of selling liquor to three underage men.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The widow of a man who died after a confrontation in the parking lot of Creekside Golf Dome in Girard is suing the business and the three men charged in his death.
Tracy L. Elza, administrator of the estate of Kevin D. Elza of Bristolville, filed suit in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Wednesday, asking for more than $50,000 in compensatory and punitive damages from the defendants.
Kevin D. Elza, 36, died Nov. 6 after he was found lying in the parking lot of the North State Street business around 2:30 a.m., unconscious, breathing shallowly and covered in blood. Several people attempted to perform CPR on Elza, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Tracy Elza, who has complained that authorities have not told her what caused her husband's death, said she has been talking to a private investigator to try to find someone who can tell her what happened.
The incident
Police reports say that when Kevin Elza went to his car after leaving the dome, he found several men in his back seat. The men, including Elza, got out of the car, and a confrontation ensued.
Police said the parking lot fight was the result of a bar dispute. Police said it was likely the result of a minor disagreement that probably could have been avoided.
Three men were indicted April 12 by a Trumbull County grand jury on misdemeanor charges in the case.
Two of them were released on $1,500 bond April 13 after pleading innocent in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to inciting to violence. They are Brian J. Charles, 21, of 1087 Park Ave., Girard, and David A. Riehl Jr., 19, of 855 Dravis Ave., Girard. They are scheduled for pretrial hearings Aug. 15 before Judge Andrew Logan.
The third man, Roberto B. Dubelt, 19, of 144 Morris Ave., Girard, pleaded guilty to assault April 12 and is set for a sentencing hearing July 31. He faces up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. He'll be sentenced by Judge Peter Kontos after a presentencing investigation.
In the lawsuit, Tracy Elza says Dubelt, Charles and Riehl were under 21 and not legally permitted to buy intoxicating liquor Nov. 5 and the early hours of Nov. 6 at the golf dome.
Suit
She says the golf dome's actions caused the three men to become intoxicated and assault and batter Kevin Elza. The suit says their actions caused serious and painful physical injuries and the death of Elza.
A woman who answered the phone at the golf dome Wednesday said the owners were not available, but she transferred the call to a man she said was the manager.
The man, who did not identify himself, said Dubelt, Charles and Rhiel were not inside the golf dome that night, though they were outside in the parking lot. He said he believed the three had been drinking somewhere else.
Elza's family has suffered permanent mental anguish and the loss of his affection, guidance, support, services and counsel, the suit says. The case is assigned to Judge Kontos.
runyan@vindy.com