Families of two Norwin High School students killed in a 2024 dirt bike crash have filed wrongful death lawsuits against the parents of two other teens, claiming they allowed and enabled underage drinking that led to the fatalities.
In two separate court filings in Westmoreland County Court, the parents of 19-year-old Adam J. Bilinsky and 16-year-old Colin Bargiel contend guardians of two other local teens facilitated alcohol-fueled parties for juveniles and ignored court orders that restricted their children’s activities.
Bilinsky and Bargiel, both of North Huntingdon, were killed March 31, 2024 when the dirt bike on which they rode skidded off Ridge Road, struck a tree and veered over an embankment, throwing both teens over the handlebars and into a concrete culvert.
Named as defendants in the lawsuit filed by Bargiel’s parents were Kimberly Strashensky, whose home, according to court documents, was considered a “party house” in which she allowed her teenage son and other juveniles to consume alcohol.
Stephen and Jessica Rogers were accused of allowing their son to attend the party and coerce another teen to use a fake Ohio driver’s license obtain liquor.
“The residence … was equipped with multiple indoor and outdoor surveillance equipment which could have allowed or should have allowed the defendant, Strashensky, … to monitor and supervise the premises whether she was at home, at work or at her boyfriend’s residence,” according to Bargiel’s lawsuit.
Strashensky is not a defendant in the lawsuit filed by the Bilinskys.
According to the court filings, Strashensky and Rogers failed to monitor their children, were aware they were on probation for prior juvenile offenses, under court orders to have no contact with each other and prohibited from consuming drugs and alcohol. Strashensky’s son was also confined to his home, the lawsuit contends.
The Rogers permitted their son to attend party at Strashensky’s home, where they knew there would be alcohol consumption, the lawsuit claims.
Police said Bargiel drank to excess at the party before he was contacted by Bilinsky for a ride to the Strashensky home. Strashensky failed to prevent the visibly intoxicated teen from leaving the home and operating the dirt bike while drunk, according to the lawsuit.
Court records indicate Bargiel’s blood alcohol level was 0.28%, more than three times the limit an adult motorist is considered drunk under Pennsylvania law.
The teens were initially reported as missing and their deaths were not discovered for at least a day. Strashensky and the Rogers are alleged to have had known about the crash and failed to report it to authorities, the lawsuit claims.
Stephen and Jessica Rogers declined comment on Thursday.
Strashensky’s lawyer, Bill McCabe, could not be reached for comment.
Strashensky, 55, is currently awaiting trial, tentatively scheduled for March, on criminal charges of child endangerment, corruption of minors and furnishing alcohol to minors. She was not charged with causing the death of either teen.
She is free on a recognizance bond.
This story is updated to reflect that the blood alcohol level of the Norwin student killed in the 2024 dirt bike crash was 0.028%.
