“This is an example of the tragic loss of life and serious injury that can occur when underage individuals consume alcohol and get into the driver’s seat of a vehicle.  We applaud California ABC agents for their 365 days-a-year work to help prevent this kind of tragedy and protect our families from harm.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

BARSTOW – On June 12, 2026, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) suspended the license of Bill’s Market (1234 W. Main St.) in Barstow, prohibiting alcohol sales for 20 days. The disciplinary action came after ABC agents investigated a deadly vehicle crash that involved an underaged driver found to be driving under the influence of alcohol.  ABC agents traced the source3 of the alcohol consumed and discovered alcoholic beverages had been unlawfully furnished at Bill’s Market.

ABC agents opened a TRACE (Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies) investigation into the incident after receiving information indicating that underage alcohol consumption may have been a factor in the crash. The investigation sought to identify the source of the alcohol and determine whether any alcoholic beverages had been unlawfully furnished to minors.

The investigation, conducted by agents from ABC’s TRACE Unit and the San Bernadino County Sheriff’s Department, determined that on September 18, 2025, a 19-year-old was sold three alcoholic beverages by an employee of Bill’s Market. The 19-year-old consumed the alcohol and later drove at a high rate of speed on Mohave Drive in the city of Victorville and crashed into the back of a vehicle stopped at the intersection of Sixth Street. The car crash resulted in great bodily injuries to the 51-year-old driver and the death of the 47-year-old passenger of the other vehicle.

“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.”