SACRAMENTO – On March 5, 2026, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced that on February 17, 2026, it suspended the license of BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse (30208 Haun Road) in Menifee, prohibiting alcohol sales for 25 days. The disciplinary action came after ABC found that a minor who was served alcohol was later involved in a crash resulting in great bodily injury to multiple individuals.

ABC opened a TRACE (Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies) investigation immediately after the incident to determine the source of the alcohol the underage persons consumed.

The investigation, conducted by agents from ABC’s TRACE Unit and officers of the Menifee Police Department, determined that on November 20, 2023, an individual under the age of 21 was served three alcoholic beverages by a server at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. That underage customer later drove and was involved in a crash with another vehicle. The car crash resulted in great bodily injuries to the underaged drinker, an adult passenger and the other driver.

“Restricting alcohol access for minors is critical to preventing incidents of this nature,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy. “Licensees must uphold their responsibility to serve lawfully and refrain from providing alcohol to underage individuals.”

“It is of upmost importance that servers check IDs.  This simple act can save lives and protect all of us from harm.  We are appreciated of ABC agents who work to investigate alcohol related crashes that involve underage drinking, and hope that all clerks and servers are diligent in checking IDs,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.