An Alton liquor store is accused of selling "bath salts" that led to a woman's death.
Shirley Morgan, as special administrator of the estate of Tonia Marie Whitehead, filed a lawsuit April 19 in Madison County Circuit Court against William F. Brockman, William F. Brockman Wholesale Tobacco & Candy and Purnima LLC, doing business as Broadway Package Liquor. Ravikumar P. Modi is also named as a defendant.
According to the complaint, Brockman sold and distributed 500 milligram packets of "Up Energizing Aromatherapy Powder" in Madison County. Those packets, commonly known as "bath salts" and used as a recreational drug, allegedly contain the chemical methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a stimulant with qualities similar to cocaine or amphetamines.
In April 2011, Whitehead allegedly consumed the "Up Energizing Aromatherapy Powder," became sick and died a day later at Alton Memorial Hospital. Morgan claims Whitehead obtained the "bath salts" from someone who bought them at Broadway Package Liquor.
Morgan accuses the defendants of distributing and selling a product known to be dangerous and claims the packets were not properly labeled as such. Brockman, his company, the liquor store and Modi are accused of negligence and product defect.
Morgan asks for more than $500,000 in damages and court costs.
Attorney Lanny Darr of Alton represents her.
Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-608
Alton liquor store named in wrongful death suit over bath salts consumption
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