The British Columbia Supreme Court has ruled that parents are responsible if their children's party guests drink too much and drive.

The case involves a backyard party at the home of Greg and Shari Vetter of Enderby, a small town north of Vernon.

A teenaged guest at the party drank too much, then drove off and became involved in a crash that seriously injured another teenaged boy.

The court's decision means the Vetters are liable for part of the $2.5 million awarded to Adam Prevost, who suffered brain damage in the 1998 crash.

The Vetters "created a dangerous situation by permitting minors to drink at their home and drive from it," B.C. Supreme Court Justice Gerald Coultas wrote in a 41-page judgment released Thursday.

The ruling is expected to have a wide-ranging impact on the liability of hosts at house parties and other social gatherings.

In a similar case, the Ontario Superior Court ruled this year that the host of an office Christmas party must pay $300,000 in damages to an inebriated employee who tried to drive home and suffered injuries when she crashed into a truck.

Commenting on the B.C. ruling, Robert Clarke, Prevost's lawyer, said: "Until now, there have only been a handful of social host cases litigated in Canada where party-goers have left intoxicated and either injured themselves or others, and none have been successful in establishing civil liability against the social host for the resulting damages."

Prevost was one of six passengers in a car driven by Desiree Vetter. Prevost was thrown through the open sunroof of the 1989 Acura. Desiree Vetter is the niece of Greg and Shari Vetter of Enderby.

After the accident, police tested Desiree with a breathalyzer, which indicated she was impaired.

Lawyers for Greg and Shari Vetter say they will appeal the decision.