TABC Officials told 3NEWS that the local pool hall is being investigated following a motorcycle accident that left a 20-year-old dead on Super Bowl Sunday.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has opened an investigation into a Corpus Christi bar following a deadly crash on Super Bowl Sunday that left a 20-year-old motorcyclist dead, according to TABC officials.
In a statement to 3NEWS, TABC Director of Communications Chris Porter confirmed the agency’s ‘s Target Responsibility for Alcohol-Connected Emergencies Unit (TRACE) Unit has opened an investigation involving Eddie’s Tavern on Airline Road.
RELATED: CCPD: Drunk driver kills 20-year-old motorcyclist, charged with intoxication manslaughter
At this time, no violations or charges have been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing, according to Porter.
“Speaking generally, any time there is an alcohol-related fatality that may involve a TABC-licensed business, the agency works to determine whether any actions on the part of the licensed business may have contributed to the loss of life,” he said.
The investigation follows a crash reported the evening of Super Bowl Sunday near the intersection of Nile Drive and Ennis Joslin Road.
Jamal Karim Baghezza is accused of failing to yield the right of way to a motorcyclist, causing the crash, according to CCPD PIO Tony Contreras.
Contreras said Baghezza showed signs of intoxication following the crash. He was arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter and is being held at the Nueces County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
The Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office later identified the victim as 20-year-old Elijah Gutierrez, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Gutierrez’s mother Christina told 3NEWS that the family laid Elijah to rest on Wednesday morning, and has hired a lawyer to represent them.
She said the family simply wants justice.
“My son did everything right that night, he didn’t do anything wrong,” she said. “He was my baby, he has his whole life ahead of him. We just want to find out who should be held responsible.”
It is not currently known whether any alcohol consumed by Baghezza prior to the crash was purchased from a TABC-licensed business. TABC officials said the agency’s investigation is ongoing.
3NEWS has reached out to Eddie’s Tavern for a statement, but have yet to receive a response. We will update the story as more information becomes available.