A 26-year-old Jefferson County man was recently sentenced for his actions in providing alcohol to teenagers, which ultimately led to a fatal car accident. The sentencing stems from an incident in November 2011 where several teens were drinking alcohol at a Lakewood home by the man and another 21-year-old woman.
A few of the teens left in one car, driven by an 18-year-old boy. That car eventually crashed into a tree, killing the driver and front passenger, and seriously injuring the backseat passengers. According to authorities, the car was travelling 60 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone. Moreover, the driver’s blood alcohol level was found to be .228, nearly three times above the legal limit.
The man and woman who provided the alcohol were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and providing alcohol to minors, both of which led to them serving jail time and having extended periods of supervised release. The Jefferson County attorney explained that the two who served the alcohol did not cause the accident, but without the alcohol the teens likely would not have lost their lives.
The story should be a cautionary tale for parents who believe that serving alcohol to minors (even exclusively at their home); especially with the holiday weekend coming up. The number of alcohol related stops should be up, given that Colorado law enforvement agencies actively looking to take drunk drivers (and drunk boaters) into custody.
If you are suspected of giving alcohol to minors or are being investigated for such a crime, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Source: DenverPost.com, Man sentenced for providing alcohol to teen who caused deadly crash, August 28, 2013