State liquor agency will look into how teens in deadly crash got alcohol

The Colorado State Patrol confirmed to KRDO NewsChannel 13 Thursday that the Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Liquor Enforcement is now involved in the investigation into the crash that killed two Monument teenagers.

Colorado State Patrol said they believe all four teenagers in the car were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Ryan Pappas, 18, and Beau Begier, 17, were killed. Another teen, Jake Clark, was listed in fair condition at a hospital Thursday. The driver, who has not been named, faces felony charges.

Investigators want to know how the teenagers obtained alcohol and if any additional charges should be filed.

“We have four occupants whom we suspect were all under the influence of alcohol,” said Sgt. Justin Mullins. “If an adult provides liquor to someone under the age of 21, and that’s not the parent in that household to their kid only, then they’re violating the law so they would face charges accordingly.”

Mullins said the most likely charge would be contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The investigation has not revealed how the kids obtained alcohol, but several friends of the teens have told KRDO NewsChannel 13 that there was alcohol at a party they all attended that night. Under the circumstance that a parent did not know alcohol was taken and consumed, charges would likely not be filed.

“If a kid goes and raids someone’s liquor cabinet and steals something, then that’s an entirely different story and that’s part of the investigation to see exactly how these kids obtained alcohol,” Mullins said.

The District Attorney’s Office will decide whether or not the driver will be charged as an adult, which will likely be revealed at a court hearing Friday.

Mullins encouraged parents to have a conversation with their children about underage drinking and driving and reminded parents that it is illegal to provide alcohol to a minor.