The Choctaw Nation is responsible for an accident that claimed the lives of two casino patrons, an appeals court in Texas ruled this week in affirming a $9.3 million judgment against the tribe. The tribe did not operate the charter bus that was bringing Alice Stanley and Paula Hahn to the Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant in April 2013. Both patrons were killed when the vehicle ran off a highway outside of Dallas, Texas, more than 80 miles from the facility in Oklahoma. Despite the indirect connection to the accident, the court held that the tribe is 'vicariously liable' for it. The casino paid Cardinal Coach Line for the bus trip and was in contact with the trip organizer, who was known to her elderly friends as 'Casino Sue,' the May 29 decision stated. As the bus departed for to the casino, Sue Taylor, who also was killed, started talking to the driver, Loyd Rieve, about the route there. The interaction was the cause of the accident, state investigators determined. 'Upon examining the record in the light most favorable to the verdict, we conclude that the evidence is legally sufficient to show that Taylor, as Choctaw’s agent, exercised actual control over Cardinal and Rieve through her instructions to Rieve as he drove Cardinal’s bus,' Justice Jason Boatright wrote for the court in the 26-page ruling. The $9.3 million judgment affirmed by the court was rendered following a jury trial in April 2016. Though the tribe was held responsible for 25 percent of the accident, the judge said the tribe must pay '100 percent of the damages.' The Cardinal company, which declared bankruptcy after the accident, and the bus driver reached settlements with Stanley's and Hahn's survivors and were not part of the case that went before the jury. The Choctaw Casino in Durant is located near the Oklahoma border with Texas, a big market for the tribe. To help bring patrons there, the tribe is a federally-registered motor carrier and 'owns and operates a fleet of buses to transport its customers to and from its casino,' according to the court's decision. When one of its own buses isn't available, the casino contracts with outside companies. According to the court, the fatal April 2013 was one of those instances. 'The appellate court was correct in affirming the jury's verdict in this horrifying crash. This jury carefully listened to all of the testimony and deliberated long and hard to reach its decision,' attorney Frank L. Branson said in a press release on Thursday. 'Casino operators cannot escape responsibility when they negotiate bus contracts based on the absolute lowest bid without considering the safety of their passengers.' The case is Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma v. Sewell
Choctaw Nation v. Sewell (May 29, 2018) Federal authorities concerned about tribal casino bus incidents (October 28, 2016)
Choctaw Nation offered settlements in fatal casino bus accident (05/04)
Choctaw Nation ordered to pay $11M for casino bus crash deaths (05/03)
Forgot username or password. Now $121 (Was $̶1̶2̶8̶) on Tripadvisor: Choctaw Casino Resort, Durant. See 1,008 traveler reviews, 364 candid photos, and great deals for Choctaw Casino Resort, ranked #1 of 9 hotels in Durant and rated 4 of 5 at Tripadvisor.
. Court of Appeals Fifth District of Texas Decision:Choctaw Nation v. Sewell (May 29, 2018) Federal authorities concerned about tribal casino bus incidents (October 28, 2016)
Choctaw Nation offered settlements in fatal casino bus accident (05/04)
Choctaw Nation ordered to pay $11M for casino bus crash deaths (05/03)
4216 S Hwy 69/75,74701Durant
Overview |
Featuring a seasonal outdoor pool with cabanas, swim-up bars, fire pits and 6 hot tubs, Choctaw Casino Resort - Durant is located in Durant, 16 mi from Denison. This resort offers free WiFi, onsite dining and an extensive casino with over 4,000 slot machines, table games, poker and more.
Each room at this resort is air conditioned and is fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Each room includes a private bathroom equipped with a bath or shower.
Guests can enjoy a variety of onsite activities at The District movie theater complex, which includes a bowling alley, arcade, cinema, and laser tag. A 24-hour fitness center and luxury spa are also featured.
Several restaurants, cafes and lounges are available throughout Durant Choctaw Casino Resort.
Rooms: 6
When would you like to stay?
Facilities of Choctaw Casino Resort - Durant
General
- WiFi in all areas
Activities
- Bowling
Food & Drink
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Bar
- Vending machine (drinks)
- Vending machine (snacks)
Pool and Spa
- Fitness center
- Spa
- Massage
- Hot tub/Jacuzzi
- Turkish/Steam Bath
- Outdoor pool (seasonal)
- Indoor pool (year-round)
- Swimming pool
Front Desk Services
- 24-hour front desk
- Baggage storage
- ATM on site
Common Areas
- Game room
- Shared lounge/TV area
Entertainment & Family Services
- Casino
- Evening entertainment
Cleaning Services
- Laundry
- Dry cleaning
- Ironing service
- Shoeshine
- Suit press
- Daily housekeeping
Business Facilities
- Meeting/Banquet facilities
- Business center
- Fax/Photocopying
Shops
- Hair/Beauty salon
- Gift shop
- Shops (on site)
- Convenience store (on site)
Miscellaneous
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Family rooms
- VIP room facilities
- Elevator
- Heating
- Air conditioning
Internet
WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking
Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Policies of Choctaw Casino Resort - Durant
These are general hotel policies for Choctaw Casino Resort - Durant. As they may vary per room type, please also check the room conditions.
Check-in
From 15:00 hours
Check-out
Intranet Choctaw Casino Buffet
Until 11:00 hours
Cancellation / Prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to property type.
Children and Extra Beds
Free!Up to three children under 18 years stay free of charge when using existing beds.
One older child or adult is charged USD 10 per night in an extra bed.
Intranet Choctaw Casinos Intranet
The maximum number of extra beds in a room is 1.
The maximum number of total guests in a room is 4.
There is no capacity for cribs in the room.
Any type of extra bed or crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
Additional fees are not calculated automatically in the total cost and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.
Pets
Intranet Choctaw Casino Buffet
Pets are not allowed.
Accepted credit cards
- Mastercard
- Visa
- Discover
- American Express
The property reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards prior to arrival.
Important Information
Please note: the guest who made the booking must be present at check in with the credit card used and a matching ID. If a guest other than the guest who made the booking will be checking in, then a separate third party credit card authorization must be completed and emailed to the reservation department.
Please note the resort fee includes:
-Complimentary valet
-WiFi connectivity
-2 bottles of water daily L
-Local and toll free calls
-Fitness center access
-Business center access
-Oasis pool access (seasonal) and indoor pool access available all year
Please note the resort fee includes:
-Complimentary valet
-WiFi connectivity
-2 bottles of water daily L
-Local and toll free calls
-Fitness center access
-Business center access
-Oasis pool access (seasonal) and indoor pool access available all year
Choctaw Casino Grant
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