Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Deol Bar II At Culebra Alamo Ranch? Here's What You Need To Know
For three decades, I've been holding bars accountable for over-serving alcohol. In the hundreds of cases I've handled, I've seen just how widespread irresponsible alcohol service is, as well as the tragedies that often follow in its wake. While people might see or hear about drunk driving accidents from time to time, rarely do they hear about the role that reckless bars play in those accidents. In order to draw more attention to this issue, I dedicate a portion of my time to investigating the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's complaint records and reporting my findings here on my website. If you believe you may have a dram shop claim, please call my office at (855) 326-0000.
Deol Bar II At Culebra Alamo Ranch is located in San Antonio, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of the TABC due to numerous allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2019 and 2020 alone, authorities conducted no fewer than seven investigations into the bar's alcohol service practices.
In my experience, it's uncommon for a bar without a history of run-ins with the TABC to end up on the hook for contributing to a wrongful death or injury. Virtually every bar I have ever sued was already on the authorities' radar. That's why I pay close attention to bars with several recent complaints against them. The more investigations a bar has had, the greater my concern is that it could one day contribute to an accident.
Note: Investigations are not proof of wrongdoing. However, if authorities investigate and fail to find evidence of a violation, it doesn't necessarily mean an establishment is innocent, either. The purpose of this article is simply to relay publicly-available information about incidents where the TABC has investigated Deol Bar II At Culebra Alamo Ranch for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Deol Bar II At Culebra Alamo Ranch Between 2019 and 2020
San Antonio - 11804 Culebra Road Suite 101
Allegations:
On 02/27/2019, a concerned citizen filed a complaint with the TABC, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to drunk person and permitted the possession of drugs on the premises.
Authorities looked into the matter shortly thereafter. For most liquor law violations, the TABC requires either video footage of the incident or eyewitness testimony from one of its agents in order to take action. Having neither in this investigation, authorities decided to close the case on 04/17/2019.
A member of the San Antonio community reached out to the TABC on 05/10/2019, claiming that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated person.
The ensuing investigation found evidence that the bar failed to report a breach of the peace (typically a fight), which authorities classified as an administrative violation. After issuing a written warning, the TABC closed the case on 06/07/2019.
Law enforcement contacted the TABC on 08/23/2019, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to a drunk person and that a breach of the peace occurred.
While investigators were not able to uncover any evidence to support the initial allegations, they were able to determine that the bar allowed a minor to possess or consume alcohol, which they classified as a criminal violation. After deciding not to hand down any punishment, the TABC closed the case on 10/15/2019.
A second law enforcement complaint, filed on 10/04/2019, claimed that a breach of the peace occurred.
The investigation that followed was able to confirm the allegation, which authorities classified as an administrative violation. After handing down an unspecified penalty, the TABC closed the case on 12/03/2019.
The TABC received another law enforcement complaint on 10/16/2019, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to a drunk person and allowed the possession of drugs on the premises.
As mentioned in the previous investigation summary, the TABC relies heavily on video footage to back up most claims of wrongdoing. Since authorities had no such evidence in this investigation, they could not take any action, leading to their decision to close the case on 12/17/2019.
A citizen complaint, filed on 02/01/2020, brought the TABC back to investigate allegations that staff was drinking on the job, sold alcohol to both a minor and an intoxicated person, and that a breach of the peace occurred.
The subsequent investigation found evidence that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated person, which authorities classified as both a criminal and administrative violation. Investigators also found evidence of public intoxication, which they classified as a criminal violation. After deciding not to hand down any punishment, the TABC closed the case without further action on 03/27/2020.
Law enforcement filed a complaint with the TABC on 03/03/2020, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to a drunk person and that a breach of the peace occurred.
TABC agents looked into the matter and found evidence that the bar sold alcohol to a drunk customer (classified as both a criminal and administrative violation) in addition to one count of public intoxication (a criminal violation). After deciding not to hand down any punishment, the TABC closed the case on 04/28/2020.
Texas Law Says Accident Victims Can Sue Bad Bars
If you would like to learn more about Texas dram shop law (i.e. lawsuits against bars who play a role in injurious or fatal accidents), please visit our Texas Dram Shop Law Info Page.
