Kilroy's Bar Reaches Settlement With IU Family After Fatal Crash

Funds will support prevention programs in Bloomington after 2022 drunk driving death of student Nate Stratton.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a worn, scuffed car key fob against a stark black background, conceptually representing the aftermath of a drunk driving incident.A settlement between a local bar and a grieving family aims to fund prevention programs in the wake of a fatal drunk driving crash.Bloomington Today

Kilroy's Sports Bar and the family of Indiana University student Nathaniel "Nate" Stratton have resolved their civil dispute over the 2022 drunk-driving hit-and-run that killed him. The agreement includes multiyear funding and a plan for the family to collaborate with local prevention groups on awareness and safety initiatives in Bloomington.

Why it matters

The settlement aims to direct resources into community education and outreach programs rather than a prolonged court battle, with the goal of preventing similar tragedies in the future. It follows the criminal prosecution of the driver, who pleaded guilty and received a 10-year prison sentence.

The details

Under the deal, Kilroy's Sports Bar will donate $60,000 per year for 10 years to support prevention efforts in partnership with the Stratton family and the Indiana chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). The funds will be used to develop and implement awareness campaigns, training, and enforcement initiatives in the Bloomington area.

  • On September 18, 2022, Nathaniel Stratton, 20, was struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding an electric scooter near the Indiana University campus.
  • In March 2024, the driver, Madelyn Howard, pleaded guilty to leaving the scene and related charges and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
  • This week, the civil settlement between Kilroy's Bar and the Stratton family was announced, outlining the multi-year funding and collaborative prevention program.

The players

Kilroy's Sports Bar

A bar located near the Indiana University campus in Bloomington.

Nathaniel "Nate" Stratton

A 20-year-old Indiana University student who was killed in a 2022 drunk driving incident near campus.

Madelyn Howard

The driver who struck and killed Nathaniel Stratton in 2022, pleading guilty and receiving a 10-year prison sentence.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

A national non-profit organization that will collaborate with the Stratton family and Kilroy's Bar on prevention programs in Bloomington.

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What they’re saying

“We hope the planned programs will help prevent other deaths in Bloomington's nightlife corridors.”

— The Stratton family

What’s next

Local officials and organizing groups have not yet released a detailed rollout schedule for the new prevention program, but have said the work will be coordinated with community partners and the Indiana chapter of MADD as the funding begins to flow.

The takeaway

This settlement represents an effort to channel resources into proactive community education and safety initiatives, rather than a prolonged legal battle, with the goal of preventing similar tragedies and honoring the memory of Nathaniel Stratton.