Riverside restaurant’s liquor license suspended after underage employee’s death while intoxicated

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has suspended the license of a Riverside restaurant embroiled in a deadly underage drinking case.

El Patron Downtown Riverside has been banned from selling alcohol for 45 days after ABC investigators determined a manager knowingly served alcohol to a 19-year-old hostess who later died.

The disciplinary action followed an investigation into the Dec. 10, 2024, incident. According to ABC, video surveillance showed the manager provided the underage employee with several drinks until she was visibly intoxicated.

The woman left the restaurant with another employee, who pulled onto the shoulder of the 91 Freeway during an argument.

Officials said the 19-year-old got out, ran into traffic and was struck and killed. An autopsy later determined her blood alcohol content was 0.30%, nearly four times the legal limit to drive.

“Keeping alcohol out of the hands of underage people can help prevent tragedies like this,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy. “It’s paramount that licensees serve responsibly and follow the law when it comes to providing alcohol to minors.”

The suspension order warns that if El Patron commits a similar violation within the next year, the state can permanently revoke the restaurant’s license.