Texas Couple Burned by Flaming Cocktail in Traumatic Accident

A Texas couple is currently recovering from what can only be described as a traumatic experience. What started out as a typical date night at a local Dallas restaurant quickly became an unexpected nightmare.

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Abbi Hance-Briscoe and Dustin Johnson stopped in for a drink on August 26th at The Twisted Trick in Dallas, Texas, when their evening took a turn.

Johnston ordered a cocktail called the 'Flaming Pineapple,' which came garnished with a lime that was lit on fire, "When it was presented to us, I was like, ‘Oh, cute. Cool. It’s on fire."

That's when the bartender said, "I’ll give it a little more," and began pouring more Everclear on the fire, Briscoe tells WAFB.

The entire drink became engulfed in flames, the glass shattered and set the couple on fire,"They literally had to cut my bra off of me because it was melted into my skin."

They were rushed to Parkland Health’s burn unit where Johnson was hospitalized for several days and Briscoe spent seven weeks receiving three skin grafts and was diagnosed with sepsis limiting her ability to walk according to WAFB.

Now the couple is suing the owners of the bar whos attorneys are denying the allegation because the couple has 'failed to provide facts to support them'. However, the restaurant has since closed down.

Unfortunately, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission does not have rules or regulations against restaurants or bars serving cocktails garnished with fire.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the couple with their mountain of medical bills.

The GoFundMe reads:

"I am raising funds on behalf of Abbi and Dutty, an amazing couple from DFW. On the night of August 26th, Dutty and Abbi went to a restaurant and were the victims of a horrible incident in which a flaming cocktail caused both Abbi and Dutty to receive 2nd and 3rd degree burns to various areas of their bodies above the waist.

Dutty was luckily able to be discharged from the hospital on August 28th; however he is still in active wound care and must return frequently for further treatment. He is also unable to work for at least the next 2 weeks.

Abbi remains in the ICU and is having surgery today, August 29th, to treat and heal some of the more severe burns she sustained. She has also been informed that she will likely have permanent nerve damage. She is expected to remain in the hospital for another 5 days and it is unclear at this time when she will be able to return to work.

Further complicating this already unimaginable situation, Abbi and Dutty were set to move into a new home on August 30th. They are very fortunate to have a great community of local friends to assist them with the move while Abbi remains hospitalized and Dutty still needs to remain cautious due to his injuries.

If you know Abbi and Dutty, you are lucky to have such beacons of light and joy in your life. They are extremely kind, generous and accepting people. Their love for each other and for their friends is an amazing thing to witness. Please consider donating to assist Abbi and Dutty with medical expenses, lost wages, care for their sweet pup, Calypso, and other expenses down the line as they deal with further ramifications of such a traumatic event."

The Latest Update On October 12th:

"Abbi has been adjusting well since returning home. A variety of assistive items—such as a blood pressure monitor, walker, shower chair, shower handle, and adaptive clothing—have been crucial in allowing Abbi to manage her injuries, as well as keep her safe and comfortable. Abbi and Dutty are very grateful for the GoFundMe donations they have received. These donations have directly contributed to acquiring these essential items.

Since coming home, Abbi has begun her gradual return to work. She is incredibly thankful for the overwhelming support from her company and coworkers, who continue to be understanding of her limitations and encourage her to prioritize her health.

Abbi and Dutty are thrilled that their dog, Calypso, is back home with them. They missed her dearly and are excited to have her back at home. They want to thank their best friends, Jeremy and Alison, who selflessly cared for Calypso in their home for 8 weeks alongside their two dogs. Jeremy and Alison sent plenty of photo and video updates. Alison even created a Calypso lookalike stuffed animal while Abbi and Dutty were in the hospital to lift their spirits and make them feel closer to their baby girl.

As Abbi continues to recover and heal, she requires ongoing care. Abbi is receiving home health, which includes a healthcare provider, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Abbi's skin grafts have healed sufficiently, allowing for monthly check-ups, with her next burn recovery appointment scheduled for early November. Currently, the primary focus is on her orthopedic care, as she continues to experience difficulties with her right hip due to her bone infection, despite previous expectations that she would be walking independently by now. In a few months, she will also have an appointment with the reconstructive surgery center.

Dutty has been cleared to return to a full-time work schedule starting Monday. He has also recently been cleared to play volleyball again, which he is very happy about. He has loved being able to be back with his team, but misses having his favorite cheerleader in the stands and can’t wait for Abbi to be well enough to come cheer him on again. His burns have nearly healed, and he continues to focus on stretching and breaking down any scar tissue that tries to form.

Thank you all for your continued support."