ABC Suspends the License of the Cinema Bar in Culver City

Culver City – On February 1, 2022, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) suspended the alcohol license of Cinema Bar located at 3967 Sepulveda Boulevard in Culver City for 20 days. The bar is immediately prohibited from selling alcohol until the suspension period ends. ABC suspended the license because Cinema Bar furnished alcohol to 20-year-old Bianca Lopez of Los Angeles. She was later involved in a deadly DUI crash that killed a 50-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy. Lopez was arrested on gross vehicular manslaughter charges.

The suspension of the ABC license at Cinema Bar follows a Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) investigation.

Through the TRACE program, ABC agents opened an investigation after the early morning DUI crash on April 24, 2021 that resulted in two fatalities and injuries to others. ABC agents worked closely with the California Highway Patrol which investigated the crash. ABC agents collected evidence and interviewed witnesses to identify where the underage driver obtained alcohol. The investigation found that a Cinema Bar employee, Roderico Castillo of Placentia, furnished alcohol to 20-year-old Lopez at the bar prior to the deadly crash.

“Preventing underage drinking and driving is a public safety priority,” said ABC Director Eric Hirata. “ABC licensees must remain vigilant and check identifications carefully to prevent these tragedies from happening.”

The TRACE program is made possible by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant provides funding for in-depth ABC investigations of serious incidents involving alcohol and minors, including car crashes. Visit our website to learn more about TRACE.

The mission of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of the State through licensing, education, and enforcement.

ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.

Contact

Additional information may be obtained by contacting:

Public Information Office
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: pio@abc.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 419-2525

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