“ABC licensees have a responsibility to assist in keeping our communities and young people safe by checking IDs and only serving those 21 or older. They also have a responsibility to not overserve. ABC agents investigate underage drinking incidents, some of which end in fatalities like this one.” – CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SAN DIEGO – On May 19, 2023, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced it has issued a 30-day suspension of the liquor license for Las Tres Catrinas, located at 555 Broadway, Suite 1084, Chula Vista, after an investigation found the business served alcohol to a 20-year-old patron on January 16, 2022. After leaving the restaurant, the patron lost his life in a single-vehicle car crash.
ABC opened a Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) investigation immediately after the incident to determine the source of the alcohol that was illegally served. ABC agents determined that two Las Tres Catrinas servers, overseen by a manager, repeatedly served alcohol to Jonathan Ortiz Zaragoza without ever checking his ID.
“Preventing underage drinking is a public safety priority,” said ABC Director Eric Hirata. “We want to remind licensees to check IDs carefully to help keep our youth and communities safe.”
ABC filed disciplinary action against La Tres Catrinas’ alcoholic beverage license for furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor resulting in death. La Tres Catrinas settled the action and agreed to a 30-day suspension of their liquor license, with a one-year revocation stayed. The business cannot sell alcohol for the next 30 days, and if any other violations occur within the one-year stayed period, ABC has authority to revoke the license permanently.
