SACRAMENTO – On November 1, 2019, California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents arrested Sacramento bartender Kelly Woodward, 58, for allegedly providing alcohol to an underage woman who got into a car crash that killed her cousin, a former University of Oregon football player.

An ABC investigation revealed that Woodward allegedly served alcohol to Ainise Taimani, 19, at Cinch Bar on May 26, 2019.

Sometime after leaving the bar, Taimani was involved in a crash that killed her 25-year-old cousin, Tui Tofa Talia.  Taimani was arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence.

The crash happened on Highway 12 in San Joaquin county.

ABC opened a Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) investigation to determine who provided, sold, or served Taimani alcohol. During their investigation, agents were determined Woodward sold alcohol to Taimani at the Cinch Bar.  In addition, investigators said Taimani also bought alcohol from a market in Sacramento before going to the bar. Both businesses face disciplinary actions for the violations, including suspension or revocation of their alcohol licenses.

“ABC agents work year-round to keep alcohol from being served or sold to those under 21, and to keep youth from obtaining it,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Given the number of places that serve and sell alcohol versus the number of ABC agents in this state, this is a huge undertaking.  But ABC agents have proven they are up to the task.  This case is an example of what underage drinking can lead to.”