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NYC Crime

Family of killed MTA bus driver to sue nightclub that gave drunken driving suspect alcohol

William Pena, 47, was killed when an allegedly drunk driver, Domonic Whilby, 22, crashed into Pena's M14 bus on Feb. 12. The driver's family says they plan to sue the Manhattan nightclub 1Oak where Whilby was partying, as well as anyone else who gave the suspect booze.

By / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

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MTA bus driver William Pena, 47 (pictured), was killed when allegedly drunken driver Domonic Whilby, 22, crashed a stolen truck into Pena's bus.

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The family of an MTA bus driver killed by an allegedly drunken driver says they intend to sue the Manhattan nightclub where he was partying and anyone else who plied him with booze, the Daily News has learned.

“Everyone who was responsible in any shape, way or form, has to be held accountable,” said Nancy Rodriguez, 47, the longtime partner of veteran bus driver William Pena.

RELATED: BUS DRIVER KILLED IN CRASH MOURNED AT UWS FUNERAL

Pena’s family has retained high profile Brooklyn lawyers Sanford Rubenstein and Scott Rynecki to sue the 1Oak under the Dram Shop law, which holds a drinking establishment civilly liable if they served booze to an obviously intoxicated patron.

Domonic Whilby, 22, his blood alcohol level twice the legal limit, stole a granola truck and slammed into Pena’s M14 bus on Feb. 12.

RELATED: FAMILY OF MTA BUS DRIVER KILLED CONFRONT SUSPECT'S LAWYER

Whilby — the nephew of model/actor Tyson Beckford — has been hit with manslaughter charges.

The family of William Pena spoke to the Daily News on Friday at their attorney's office in Brooklyn.

Aaron Showalter/New York Daily News

The family of William Pena spoke to the Daily News on Friday at their attorney's office in Brooklyn.

Rubenstein said he also intends to sue the owner of the granola truck for negligence because according to reports the vehicle was parked with the engine running when Whilby allegedly took it for a joyride.

RELATED: LAST RITES SET FOR CITY BUS DRIVER KILLED IN CRASH WITH STOLEN TRUCK

Hours before the accident, Whilby had posted photos of himself with Becfkord and supermodel Shanina Shaik on Instagram.

“What did Mr. Beckford know about (his nephew's) level of intoxication or what was his involvement?” Rynecki said.

RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: FAMILY, CO-WORKERS MOURN MTA BUS DRIVER KILLED IN TRUCK COLLISION

The victim had been working overtime shifts to make mortgage payments and the Catholic high school tuition for his 17-year-old daughter.

Whilby was allegedly tossed out of a fashion party at 1OAK less than two hours before the accident. A spokesman for the nightclub had no immediate comment.

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