Razzle’s Wrongful Death Lawsuit Settled, Jared Ratisher Case, Underage Drinking Allegations and Nightclub Closure

Razzle’s Nightclub in Daytona Beach, Florida, has settled a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the mother of 19-year-old Jared Tyler Ratisher, who died in a single-vehicle crash on June 8, 2024. The lawsuit alleged that nightclub security gave Jared a 21-and-over hand stamp after he showed an ID with his real birth date, which allowed him to buy alcohol.

Kelly Ratisher sued Jedak Associates LLC, doing business as Razzle’s Nightclub, in September 2025. The parties settled on October 27, 2026, and the terms are confidential, although Kelly confirmed she received a payment. About a week later, on November 3, 2026, Razzle’s closure after 41 years became public. Kelly believes the lawsuit contributed to the closure, but no one has established that it caused it.

The settlement is not a verdict, and no court has found that the nightclub violated Florida law or caused Jared’s death.

Quick Facts: Kelly Ratisher v. Jedak Associates LLC d/b/a Razzle’s Nightclub

Detail	Information
Case	Kelly Ratisher v. Jedak Associates LLC d/b/a Razzle’s Nightclub
Plaintiff	Kelly Ratisher
Deceased	Jared Tyler Ratisher, age 19
Defendant	Jedak Associates LLC (Razzle’s Nightclub)
Location	Daytona Beach, Florida
Court	Volusia County Circuit Court (docket number not independently verified)
Type	Wrongful death
Night in question	June 7, 2024; crash early June 8, 2024
Alleged conduct	Alcohol purchases after a 21+ hand stamp despite an underage ID
Reported BAC	0.068
Lawsuit filed	September 2025 (third-party index lists September 5, 2025)
Settlement reached	October 27, 2026
Settlement amount	Confidential
Initial emotional-damages demand reported	$50,001 to $75,000
Closure reported	November 3, 2026
Trial verdict	None; settled
Class action	No; no public claims program

Who Was Jared Ratisher?

Jared Tyler Ratisher was a 19-year-old from Ocala, Florida. According to his obituary, he was born March 9, 2005, and died June 8, 2024. He was Kelly Ratisher’s only child, and she has described him as her best friend. He was considering joining the U.S. Navy, and she told The Daytona Beach News-Journal they had planned to have lunch the day after he died to talk about it.

What Happened at Razzle’s Nightclub on June 7, 2024?

Jared went to Razzle’s Nightclub in Daytona Beach on the evening of June 7, 2024. Florida’s legal drinking age is 21. According to the allegations in court records, he showed security his identification, which displayed his real birth date of March 9, 2005. He would not turn 21 until March 9, 2026.

The Alleged 21-and-Over Hand Stamp

Kelly alleges that security still stamped Jared’s left hand with a 21-and-over mark, and that this let him buy several alcoholic drinks. She has said he did not have a fake ID and did not pay anyone for the stamp. The theory is not that a teenager slipped into a club. It is that staff saw his real age and still authorized alcohol purchases. Because the case settled, no court has found whether the stamp was given as alleged or who was responsible.

How Did Jared Ratisher Die?

According to the reporting, Jared first got a ride with friends in the Daytona Beach area. Early on June 8, 2024, he drove toward his home in Marion County, lost control of his vehicle, crashed into a tree and died at the scene. Court records cited by the News-Journal list his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as 0.068.

What Did Kelly Ratisher Accuse Razzle’s Nightclub Of?

The complaint, as described in local reporting, centers on these allegations:

• Jared was 19.
• He showed identification that showed he was under 21.
• Security gave him a 21-and-over stamp.
• He bought several alcoholic drinks.
• His reported BAC was 0.068.
• He died later in a single-vehicle crash.

The plaintiff’s theory is that selling alcohol to someone under 21 creates the kind of foreseeable danger Florida’s alcohol laws are meant to prevent.

Who Was Actually Sued?

The business defendant was Jedak Associates LLC, doing business as Razzle’s Nightclub, a Florida limited liability company according to the state’s Division of Corporations. Its public records list Kyriakos Drymonis and Panagiotis Drymonis among its managers. Being listed as a manager does not make someone a defendant or personally liable, and the reported action was against the company. Reporting says the owners also operate The Oyster Pub. The company’s attorney, David A. Vukelja, did not respond to the News-Journal’s request for comment before its November 5 report.

Why Is the Razzle’s Case a Civil Wrongful Death Lawsuit and Not a Criminal Case?

A criminal case is brought by prosecutors and can lead to fines, probation or prison. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action seeking damages for eligible survivors and the estate. Kelly’s suit was a civil claim against the nightclub’s business entity, and no criminal conviction of an employee was needed to bring it. Florida’s Wrongful Death Act applies when a death is caused by another’s wrongful act or negligence in circumstances where the person could have sued had they lived (Fla. Stat. § 768.19).

What Does Florida Law Say About Serving Alcohol to Someone Under 21?

Florida Statutes § 562.11(1)(a) bars a person from selling, giving or serving alcohol to someone under 21, or permitting a person under 21 to consume alcohol on licensed premises. A violation is generally a second-degree misdemeanor, with harsher treatment for some repeat violations. Entering an 18-and-over venue and being eligible to buy alcohol are separate questions.

A violation can also have licensing consequences. The state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco can discipline a license holder under Fla. Stat. § 561.29. No such action was reported here.

Could Razzle’s Have Argued That Jared Used a Fake ID?

Florida gives sellers a defense in some civil cases. Under § 562.11(1), a licensed seller can have a complete defense if the underage person:

1. Falsely represented they were of legal age.
2. Appeared to an ordinarily prudent person to be of legal age.
3. Presented an authorized form of identification that the seller carefully checked.
4. Was served in good-faith reliance on that identification and representation.

Kelly’s account changes the picture. She says Jared had no fake ID and showed a card with his real birth date. If so, the question is why he was allegedly given a 21-and-over stamp. A genuine ID showing an underage birthday is different from an altered ID. No court ruled on the defense because the case settled.

Does Florida’s Dram Shop Law Allow Families to Sue Nightclubs for Serving Alcohol to Minors?

The key civil statute is Fla. Stat. § 768.125. It generally protects sellers from liability for injuries caused by a customer’s intoxication. It has two exceptions, where the seller:

• Willfully and unlawfully sells or furnishes alcohol to a person not of lawful drinking age, or
• Knowingly serves a person habitually addicted to alcohol.

The first exception is the one at issue here. Section 768.125 is narrower than some other states’ dram shop laws. It does not generally create liability for overserving an adult.

What Does “Willfully” Mean Under Florida Law?

A business is not liable just because an underage customer obtains alcohol. In Faircloth v. Main Street Entertainment, Inc., No. SC2022-0910 (Fla. Mar. 7, 2024), the Florida Supreme Court discussed the underage-service exception, which requires that the provider knew the recipient was under 21. Knowledge can be shown through the circumstances of the transaction. Here, the allegation that Jared showed his real ID before receiving a 21-plus stamp could have been central evidence of what staff knew. The settlement means no court decided that.

What Is Davis v. Shiappacossee, and How Is It Similar to the Razzle’s Case?

Davis v. Shiappacossee, 155 So. 2d 365 (Fla. 1963), involved a 16-year-old who obtained beer and whiskey from a bar and later died when his car hit an oak tree. His father sued the bar. The Florida Supreme Court allowed the wrongful death claim to proceed based on the unlawful sale to a minor and the foreseeability of harm.

Davis v. Shiappacossee	Razzle’s dispute
16-year-old	19-year-old Jared Ratisher
Alcohol obtained from a bar	Alcohol allegedly bought at a nightclub
Underage sale	Alleged 21+ stamp despite underage ID
Later drove a car	Later drove toward home
Car struck an oak tree	Car struck a tree
Father sued the bar	Mother sued the nightclub’s company

The cases are not identical. Davis predates the current § 768.125, and Faircloth discussed it as a foundation for liability for unlawful sales to minors. It does not mean Razzle’s was responsible in Jared’s case.

What Did Faircloth v. Main Street Entertainment Decide?

Faircloth involved a 20-year-old driver who had been served at a bar and a collision that injured an intoxicated 18-year-old pedestrian. The Florida Supreme Court held that a claim under the underage-service exception in § 768.125 is a negligence action for purposes of comparative fault. That means a bar’s liability can be weighed alongside other causes. The court did not settle every question about how fault is divided between a bar and an underage drinker. That is why Jared’s BAC and driving could have mattered in this case without automatically defeating a claim.

Why Does Jared’s 0.068 BAC Matter Under Florida Law?

A 0.068 BAC is below the ordinary adult DUI limit of 0.08 in Fla. Stat. § 316.193. But Jared was under 21, and § 322.2616(1)(a) makes it unlawful for a person under 21 to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle with a blood or breath alcohol level of 0.02 or higher. A person can also be guilty of DUI when alcohol impairs normal faculties, even under 0.08. The BAC figure does not decide whether the nightclub violated alcohol-service laws or legally caused the death. No driving-related judgment was entered against Jared.

Could Jared’s Own Conduct Have Reduced the Family’s Recovery?

Potentially. Under Fla. Stat. § 768.81, damages in negligence actions are reduced by the claimant’s share of fault. Since 2023, a plaintiff found more than 50% at fault generally cannot recover in most negligence actions (§ 768.81(6)). Faircloth treats underage-service claims as negligence actions for this purpose. Florida also lets fault be apportioned to others who are not parties (Fabre v. Marin, 623 So. 2d 1182 (Fla. 1993)). Relevant evidence could have included how much Jared drank and when, his toxicology results, the time between leaving the club and the crash, and the driving circumstances. Because the case settled, no ruling set his percentage of fault.

Why Could Kelly Ratisher Bring a Wrongful Death Lawsuit for a 19-Year-Old?

Florida’s Wrongful Death Act is Fla. Stat. §§ 768.16 to 768.26. Under § 768.20, the suit is generally brought by the deceased’s personal representative for the benefit of the survivors and the estate. Section 768.21 lists recoverable damages, which can include lost support and services, survivors’ mental pain and suffering, loss of companionship and guidance in applicable cases, medical and funeral expenses paid by a survivor, and certain estate losses.

Florida Treats Children Under 25 as “Minor Children” in Wrongful Death Claims

Although Jared was 19, § 768.18(2) defines “minor children” for the Act as children under 25, regardless of the age of majority. Under § 768.21(4), each parent of a deceased minor child may recover for mental pain and suffering. This affects which damages a parent may seek. It does not set the amount.

What Was the Initial Damages Demand?

Kelly initially sought between $50,001 and $75,000 in emotional damages, according to court records described in the News-Journal. That is not the settlement amount, and it does not cover every claim the estate or other survivors might have had.

Did Razzle’s Nightclub Have a History of Underage Drinking and Safety Complaints?

The News-Journal reported that court records show more than 30 lawsuits filed against the nightclub’s owners since 1992. Local reporting also cited about 120 police calls about the nightclub in 2023, covering underage drinking complaints, fights, intoxicated patrons, shootings, trespassing and illegal parking. These details give context, but they are not findings that Razzle’s was liable for Jared’s death.

The 2023 Extended-Hours Permit Suspension

In August 2023, Daytona Beach police moved to suspend the club’s authority to stay open past midnight after several incidents. One was a July 2023 parking-lot shooting that injured four people. Another involved an intoxicated teenage driver who struck police officers and pedestrians while leaving the area, according to reporting. Razzle’s was given another chance after agreeing to added safety measures, including employee training, bag policies and parking-lot security. These events did not prove Razzle’s served Jared illegally in June 2024. The allegations about his ID and hand stamp rest on their own evidence.

Did the Wrongful Death Lawsuit Cause Razzle’s Nightclub to Close?

The News-Journal reported that the settlement was reached October 27, 2026, and that Razzle’s closure became public on November 3, 2026, after roughly 41 years in business. Kelly told the News-Journal that her family’s refusal to back down was a big contributing factor. She said the owners’ attorneys told her attorney on October 27, the day of settlement, that the club would close.

That is her interpretation. WFTV reported that the city had not linked the closure to municipal action, and city officials, including Mayor Derrick Henry, expressed regret over the closing while pointing to broader economic pressures on nightlife businesses. No verified public statement from the owners says the settlement forced the closure. The timing is notable, but it does not prove causation.

What Happened to Razzle’s After 41 Years?

On November 3, 2026, WFTV reported that the lights had gone dark at the Seabreeze Boulevard nightclub after 41 years. Local reporting described a wind-down that honors existing commitments. Closure does not end Jedak Associates LLC, which state records still list as an active limited liability company, or resolve any other legal claims involving the business.

When Was the Razzle’s Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed, and Was It Filed on Time?

Kelly filed in September 2025. A third-party Volusia County case index lists September 5, 2025, with the case categorized as a wrongful death action in Volusia County Circuit Court. The full complaint and docket number were not independently retrieved. Public records can be searched through the Volusia County Clerk of the Circuit Court’s case inquiry portal.

Florida generally allows two years to bring a wrongful death action (Fla. Stat. § 95.11). Jared died June 8, 2024, and the suit was filed less than two years later.

What Does the Confidential Razzle’s Settlement Mean?

A settlement is a negotiated resolution, not a verdict or a finding of responsibility. Public reporting shows that the parties resolved the case and that Kelly received money. It does not show the total amount, whether the defendant admitted liability, whether other claims were released, who paid, or other terms. No verified settlement figure has been disclosed, and the $50,001 to $75,000 request was an earlier demand, not the amount paid.

A confidential settlement does not override Florida’s Sunshine in Litigation Act (Fla. Stat. § 69.081), which limits agreements that conceal a public hazard. Nothing reported suggests that provision applies here.

For another example of the difference between a private agreement and a court award, see Takeoff Settlement Dispute, Quavo, Offset May Testify.

What Happens Next After the Razzle’s Wrongful Death Settlement?

The reporting confirms the settlement date but does not include the settlement agreement or a separately verified dismissal order. Things to watch:

1. A public docket entry showing dismissal or closure of the case.
2. Any further disclosure of settlement terms.
3. Further reporting on the nightclub’s wind-down.
4. Any separate regulatory or legal action involving the business.

The settlement created no class action or public claims fund. Other potential claims would need their own legal grounds, evidence, standing and filing deadlines.

Razzle’s Wrongful Death Lawsuit: Frequently Asked Questions

Was the Razzle’s wrongful death lawsuit settled?

Yes. Kelly Ratisher and Jedak Associates LLC, doing business as Razzle’s Nightclub, settled on October 27, 2026. The financial terms are confidential.

Who was Jared Ratisher?

A 19-year-old from Ocala, Florida, who died in a vehicle crash on June 8, 2024, after allegedly buying alcohol at Razzle’s the night before.

Why did Kelly Ratisher sue Razzle’s Nightclub?

She alleged that security gave Jared a 21-and-over stamp after he showed ID indicating he was 19, allowing him to buy alcohol before his fatal crash.

How much money did Kelly Ratisher receive?

The amount is confidential. She confirmed to the News-Journal that she received a payment, but it has not been disclosed.

Did Razzle’s serve alcohol to a 19-year-old?

The lawsuit alleged it did. That allegation was not decided by a verdict.

What was Jared Ratisher’s BAC?

Court records cited in local reporting list 0.068. For a driver under 21, Florida’s limit is 0.02, but the number does not by itself resolve the civil questions about the nightclub.

Did Jared Ratisher have a fake ID?

His mother says no, and that he did not pay for the stamp. That is her account, not a finding after trial.

Did the lawsuit force Razzle’s to close?

That has not been established. Kelly believes it contributed, but no confirmed statement says why the owners closed the club.

When did Razzle’s Nightclub close?

WFTV reported on November 3, 2026, that the lights had gone dark after 41 years. Other reporting describes a wind-down.

Can other families file claims against Razzle’s?

The settlement creates no class action or fund. Any other claim would need separate grounds, evidence, standing and timely filing.

What Florida law lets a family sue a nightclub for serving alcohol to someone under 21?

Fla. Stat. § 768.125 allows liability when a business willfully and unlawfully sells or furnishes alcohol to someone under the legal drinking age. Section 562.11 separately prohibits serving alcohol to people under 21.

Is the Razzle’s lawsuit still active?

Reporting says it settled October 27, 2026. The settlement agreement and a final dismissal order were not independently obtained, so check the Volusia County Clerk for the formal docket status.

The Bottom Line on the Razzle’s Nightclub Wrongful Death Settlement

Kelly Ratisher alleged that her 19-year-old son, Jared, bought alcohol at Razzle’s after security gave him a 21-and-over stamp despite his real ID, and that he later died in a single-vehicle crash. The parties settled confidentially on October 27, 2026, about a week before the club’s closure was reported. The settlement is not a verdict or an admission of liability, and no court decided whether the allegations were true. Florida law prohibits serving alcohol to people under 21, and its dram shop statute can allow civil liability when a business willfully and unlawfully serves a person under 21.

Sources and Court Records

Legal authorities

1. Fla. Stat. § 562.11
2. Fla. Stat. § 768.125
3. Fla. Stat. § 768.19
4. Fla. Stat. § 768.20
5. Fla. Stat. § 768.18
6. Fla. Stat. § 768.21
7. Fla. Stat. § 322.2616
8. Fla. Stat. § 316.193
9. Fla. Stat. § 95.11
10. Fla. Stat. §§ 561.29, 768.81 and 69.081; Fabre v. Marin, 623 So. 2d 1182 (Fla. 1993)

Florida court decisions

11. Faircloth v. Main Street Entertainment, Inc., No. SC2022-0910 (Fla. Mar. 7, 2024). Decision
12. Davis v. Shiappacossee, 155 So. 2d 365 (Fla. 1963). Decision

News reporting and public records

13. The Daytona Beach News-Journal, November 5, 2026: Razzle’s settled wrongful death lawsuit one week before closing
14. WFTV, November 3, 2026: Daytona Beach’s Razzles Nightclub closes after 41 years
15. WFTV, August 16, 2023: Daytona Beach nightclub served emergency suspension gets second chance to stay open past midnight
16. Florida Division of Corporations, Jedak Associates LLC
17. Jared Tyler Ratisher obituary
18. Volusia County Clerk of Court, case records search

Research note: The November 5, 2026 News-Journal report is the principal source for the settlement, the family’s allegations, the reported BAC and the confidentiality of the amount. The full complaint, the settlement agreement, the docket number and any dismissal order were not independently obtained. No settlement figure, verdict or admission of liability is presented as fact.

Disclaimer: This article is legal information, not legal advice, and AllAboutLawyer.com is not a law firm. Allegations have not been proven unless identified as established court findings.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against the Daytona Beach News-Journal’s November 5, 2026 report, WFTV’s November 3, 2026 report, the Florida Statutes and the cited Florida Supreme Court decisions, as of November 6, 2026. Last Updated: November 6, 2026.