The family of the 19-year-old killed in an October 2024 car crash has settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the driver and members of his family.
An Arlington circuit court judge approved the settlement between Michael Rados, the father of Nicholas Rados, and Brooks Bare in court last week, online court records showed.
The Rados family will receive $1.25 million as part of the settlement, according to court documents. The family had initially sought $22 million plus $350,000 in punitive damages when the lawsuit was first filed last year.
Rados, a 2024 graduate of Washington-Liberty High School who was a passenger in Bare’s SUV, sustained fatal injuries in the crash, in which the vehicle rolled after striking three parked cars in the Tara-Leeway Heights neighborhood.
In a statement to ARLnow, Rados’ parents expressed relief at the conclusion of another legal battle, but noted that “nothing will ever replace the life Nick was meant to live.”
Nothing will ever replace the love, joy, and happiness our only child brought to our family and so many others. Life was complete and full with Nick. What has sustained us through this unimaginable loss is the extraordinary support from our family, friends near and far, the Arlington community and complete strangers. During such heartbreak, it’s heartwarming to see the generosity of everyone Nick touched.
A request for comment sent to Bare’s attorneys was not returned.
Rados was thrown from the vehicle during the crash, which occurred around 2 a.m. on Oct. 12, 2024. He suffered a skull fracture and other severe injuries and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital a short time later.
Bare, who was 18 at the time of the crash and later pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter, had a blood alcohol concentration of .157 at the time of the incident — nearly twice the legal limit. A variety of cannabinoid chemical compounds were also found in his blood, according to court documents.
The civil complaint alleged that Bare “had an established habit and well-known reputation for consuming alcohol and driving under the influence of alcohol.” The lawsuit cites more than 100 impact statements from community members, although under Virginia state law, these could not be considered in the court’s decision.
“Brooks Bare made a series of decisions that demonstrate willful and wanton negligence,” the complaint reads. “Collectively, his actions demonstrate a conscious disregard for another’s rights and a reckless indifference to the consequences of his actions, with foreknowledge that his conduct probably would cause injury to another.”
Bare is scheduled to be released from custody in August. He is expected to be on probation for six years following his release, during which time his driver’s license will be revoked and he will be required to complete 250 hours of community service, among other stipulations.
If Bare fails to meet the required guidelines, he could return to custody for an additional five and a half years.
Moving forward, the Rados family intends to continue to fight for stronger action against impaired driving.
We will spend the rest of our lives making sure Nick is never forgotten. We will carry forward his spirit by supporting meaningful causes, programs and initiatives that reflect his values. The Nicholas Rados Memorial Fund was established after his passing through the Arlington Community Foundation. The Fund will continue to support his passion for the environment through the Nicholas A. Rados Oyster Restoration Summer Internship at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the sustainable garden at Washington-Liberty High School where Nick studied IB Environmental Studies. We’ve created a scholarship in Nick’s name at the University of Miami where he studied Sustainable Development. Nick loved growing up in Arlington which is why we’re inspired to support local organizations like Doorways and others that serve the community he loved.
Most importantly, we hope Nick’s story helps bring continued awareness and stronger action to prevent drunk and impaired driving.
