Liquor store employees sentenced for selling alcohol to woman involved in deadly crash

I don't necessarily agree with this. Let's say they call the police and the police couldn't get there in a reasonable amount of time. Clerks don't make enough money to pretend to be law enforcement.

 

Liquor store employees sentenced for selling alcohol to woman involved in deadly crash

DECEMBER 26, 2020 / 7:55 AM / CBS NEWS

Two Colorado liquor store employees were sentenced this week for selling alcohol to a customer who was visibly intoxicated before she caused a deadly accident in 2019, CBS Denver reports. The customer, Lindsey Ward, left the store and crashed head-on with another vehicle, killing Benjamin Mitton, 41, and Nichole Gough, 43.

Cody Moral, 26, and Avran Lefeber, 38, both from Breckenridge, were sentenced to $800 in court costs and fines. The pair must also complete a Training For Intervention Procedures class and write an apology letter to the victims' families.


Vehicle occupied by victims Nichole Gough (driver), and Benjamin Mitton (passenger), after the crash.5TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY

"Although Ms. Ward did not consume the alcohol she bought from Moral and Lefeber, they knew she didn't appear normal and had a duty to not sell to her at that time," said Stephanie Cava, Deputy 5th Judicial District Attorney.

Investigators said Ward admitted to drinking the day of the deadly crash. Moral and Lefeber said she appeared "tired" when she purchased alcohol at Breckenridge Market & Liquor Store. The men offered her a ride home, but said Ward refused.

Ward drove off the road after leaving the liquor store and then over-corrected, crossing the center line and causing the head-on collision. Colorado State Patrol estimated Ward's blood alcohol level was .290 g/100mL at the time of the crash, more than three times the legal limit.

As of Nov. 1, the Colorado Department of Transportation reports 168 traffic fatalities involving an impaired driver, which is up 14% from 2019 despite lower traffic volumes. The largest increases this year in excessive drinking has been observed in western states, including Colorado, according to CDOT.

First published on December 26, 2020 / 7:55 AM

© 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The absolute sheer driving force of our national economy - without truck drivers, our entire national economy would come to an absolute standstill - if not outright be dead.

Over the mountains, through the woods, into the valleys, coast to coast, from sea to shining sea - truck drivers can and do go anywhere and everywhere, every day, all year round.

 

Or..
Clerk refuses to sell liquor. Customer returns with a weapon.
Or ...
Customer runs their car in the building.

I believe it is wrong putting any blame on the store employees.

 

most states have laws against selling alcohol to intoxicated people or minors.

the responsibility goes with the job, like a bar tender.

 

AGREED!

 

I dont agree with it myself and here's why. If she came to the store intoxicated and left empty handed maybe she would've gone home or maybe she would've gone to another liquor store. I dont agree with them selling to her because she was already intoxicated but how can you blame the clerks for her wrecking. She was already intoxicated there is no way for them to stop her. The best they could've done was refused service and called 911 and they didn't. I mean for all intents and purposes what if she had gone to McDonald's drunk would it be their fault if she left there and wrecked?

What if she had come to the liquor sober and got alcohol there went to the parking lot drunk it and left then intoxicated. Is it the clerks fault then? I mean somebody has to know, what is the likelihood that if they called 911 and reported the drunk driver gave a description of the vehicle and general direction, they would've stopped her in time.

I followed a drunk out of Nashville one night and called the state patrol on them gave a general description but wouldn't get close enough to the swerving all over the road drunk to read the lic plate. They soon sped way up and out of sight they went straddling two lanes. All im saying is I dont see what the clerks could've done to stop her. You can't take her keys away and if you did there's a good chance you'd get killed over it. You going to risk your life for minimum wage? I feel the same with the letter of apology mentioned. It wasn't their fault what could the clerks have done? I mean what exactly would have refusing to sell to her have accomplished because the only thing I can think of is her deciding to go somewhere else and possibly getting into a wreck on the way there. I dont mean to come across as insensitive I mean id be angry if it was my family in that car that was killed but when the grief wore off logic would shine through and I couldn't blame the clerks for what happened. They weren't behind the wheel of the car. They tried to give her a ride home and she wouldn't do it so they tried. Its a horrible situation and they should've called the police and maybe they would've got there in time but its to late for maybe and what if. Its a bad situation and I feel for the family that lost their loved ones.

( I also apologize for rambling im on hometime and wide awake after next to no sleep so im doing everything I can not to go back to sleep apparently. )

 

Should've smacked her with a Twisted Tea super-can!