The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has suspended the alcohol license of BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in Menifee for 25 days following an investigation that found a minor was served alcohol before being involved in a serious crash. The suspension took effect on February 17.
The disciplinary action stems from a crash that occurred on November 20, 2023. Investigators determined that a minor was served three alcoholic beverages by a server at the Menifee restaurant. After leaving the establishment, the minor drove and was involved in a collision with another vehicle.
The crash resulted in great bodily injury to the minor, an adult passenger in the vehicle, and the driver of the other car.
ABC launched an investigation through its TRACE program—Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies—immediately after the incident to determine where the underage driver had obtained alcohol. The investigation was conducted by agents from ABC’s TRACE Unit along with officers from the Menifee Police Department.
“Restricting alcohol access for minors is critical to preventing incidents of this nature,” ABC Director Paul Tupy said. “Licensees must uphold their responsibility to serve lawfully and refrain from providing alcohol to underage individuals.”
A spokesperson for BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse said the restaurant conducted an investigation and took immediate action. “We take this situation, our responsibility to serve alcohol, and our guests’ and team members’ safety seriously,” the spokesperson said. “At the time of the incident, in November 2023, we conducted a thorough investigation and took immediate action. We’ve always followed industry best practices and continue to reinforce robust training on laws and policies to ensure proper procedures are consistently upheld when serving alcoholic beverages with a zero tolerance policy for any violation.”
The TRACE program is funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The funding supports investigations into alcohol-related incidents involving people under 21 that result in serious injury or death, as well as cases of suspected vehicular manslaughter involving alcohol.
