Siesta Key family hopes for alcohol ban on beaches

Sarasota, Florida -- The family of a Siesta Key wife and mother killed by a drunk driver has settled their lawsuit against the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. County commissioners accepted a $200,000 settlement. But her family says their fight isn't over just yet.

Three years after Donna Chen's death her family finds closure with the settlement that ends a legal battle. "And provide some peace for both myself and my children," says widower Wellington Chen. He says the public's safety remains a concern. The family fought for 3 years to ban alcohol on public beaches but failed to convince commissioners.

"Right now they are more concerned about cigarette butts than alcohol," says Chen. He adds, "As long as those laws are out there people will be at risk."

Ninety percent of Florida beaches ban alcohol -- not Sarasota. Chen a mother of three died at the hand of drunk driver.

Deputies first encountered Blake Talman and his friends on Siesta Key Beach near the concession stands. They had clearly been drinking. His friend was arrested, Talman was told to leave. An hour later he drove off struck and killed Donna Chen who was walking her dog.

Chen says deputies created a dangerous situation. But in a statement, Wendy Rose, a spokesperson with the Sarasota sheriff, says:

"By agreeing to this settlement, Sarasota County Government, on behalf of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, is trying to be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. We maintain that there are defensible issues here, because deputies had no probable cause to arrest Blake Talman during their encounter at the beach.

"However, we also want to be sensitive to the Chen family. They suffered a traffic loss due to Talman's string of reckless actions after he left the beach. He has since pled guilty to DUI Manslaughter and is serving a 15-year prison sentence for his crime."

Chen says, "I think if you have bad laws you're asked to enforce puts you in a difficult situation."

He says Siesta Key known for being the No. 1 beach in the country in 2011 and growing popularity with tourists doesn't need alcohol to attract visitors.

He says, "We have a wonderful asset here let's not spoil it by allowing reckless drinking."

If alcohol had been banned Chen says his wife would be alive today. "She was a very loving wife, loving mother she cared about 2 things kids and animals … she did a good job at both."

Talman plead guilty in 2013 and is serving a 15-year prison sentence.