ABC & Long Beach Police TRACE case leads to the arrest of a clerk after fatal crash

(Long Beach) – On December 17, 2019 Agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and Officers from the Long Beach Police Department arrested 56 year – old Amor Amacio of Norwalk for furnishing alcohol to a minor resulting in great bodily harm or death. Amacio is accused of selling/furnishing alcohol to Carlo Navarro (20 years – old) of Long Beach on Thursday, October 31, 2019. The alleged sale occurred at Green Diamond Liquor located at 5351 Long Beach Boulevard in Long Beach.

A few hours after Navarro was illegally furnished alcohol at the premises, Navarro was arrested on gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence charges after fatally striking and killing three pedestrians, including a three year – old child walking on the sidewalk near Country Club Drive and Los Cerritos Park Place in Long Beach. 

“The Department remains in close contact with the Awaida family. Their loss has been greatly felt in our community,” said Police Chief Robert G. Luna. “However, our work is still not done, we will continue to hold all those accountable for illegal actions that lead to other crime.”

Immediately after the crash, ABC and Long Beach Police opened a Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) investigation to find out the source of the alcohol that was consumed by the underage driver. The cause of the crash was investigated by the Long Beach Police Department.

The ABC agents who worked on the TRACE investigation conducted a series of interviews, examined evidence and were able to determine that Amacio furnished alcohol to Navarro at Green Diamond Liquor.

ABC will be seeking disciplinary action against Green Diamond Liquor’s alcoholic beverage license for furnishing alcohol to a minor, a violation of Section 25658(c) of the California Business and Professions Code. The penalty for the business could be a suspension or revocation of the license. A penalty has not yet been determined.

The TRACE program is made possible by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The grant provides funding for in-depth ABC investigations of serious incidents including car crashes, but also alcohol overdoses, poisonings and assaults involving minors and alcohol consumption.  Visit our TRACE web page to learn more about TRACE.

“This program is important because it provides ABC with additional resources to hold accountable individuals or businesses who sell or furnish alcohol to minors who are later involved in alcohol-related incidents that cause serious injuries or deaths,” said ABC Director Jacob Appelsmith.

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 protects communities through education and by administering prevention and enforcement programs designed to increase compliance with California’s alcoholic beverage laws. 

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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