A law enforcement officer posts a notice of suspension at Las Tres Catrinas in Chula Vista. Alcohol Beverage Control photo

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has imposed a 30-day suspension on the liquor license of Las Tres Catrinas, located in Chula Vista just south of San Diego.

The suspension follows an investigation that found the establishment served alcohol to a 20-year-old patron on Jan. 16, 2022. He later died in a single-vehicle car crash.

Following the incident, ABC initiated a Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) investigation to find the source of the illegally served alcohol. ABC agents said two servers at Las Tres Catrinas, under the supervision of a manager, repeatedly provided alcohol to Jonathan Ortiz Zaragoza, 20, without verifying his identification.

“Preventing underage drinking is a public safety priority,” stated ABC Director Eric Hirata. “We want to remind licensees to check IDs carefully to help keep our youth and communities safe.”

Disciplinary action was taken against Las Tres Catrinas’ ABC license for furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor resulting in death. The restaurant settled the case by accepting a 30-day license suspension, with a one-year revocation stayed.

Las Tres Catrinas will be prohibited from selling alcohol for the next 30 days, and any further violations within the one-year period will lead to permanent license revocation.

The TRACE program, funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, enables ABC to investigate alcohol-related incidents involving individuals under 21 causing severe bodily injury or death, as well as anyone charged with vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol, regardless of their age.