Go-Go Bar Loses Liquor License After Fatal Crash

A go-go bar in Vineland has had its liquor license revoked by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control after two underage men were served alcohol and then killed in a one-car drunk driving accident after leaving the establishment.

Eighteen-year-old Jonathan Rothschild of Clayton and 20-year-old Ian Drebes of Franklinville were killed when Drebes lost control of his vehicle and both were ejected from the car in Vineland on June 28, 2011.  Toxicology tests determined that Drebes had a Blood Alcohol Content of .157 percent at the time of his death.  Rothschild's Blood Alcohol Content was .162 percent.  At the crash scene, both were found in possession of false identification cards which said they were 21 and 23, respectively.

The licensees at Kashmir, David Glassman and Jack Paik, were found guilty of two counts each of serving alcohol to a person under the legal age and serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person.  Kashmir's license will be revoked as of Sept. 5.  Paik also must divest his interest in any other ABC license by August 6, 2014.

"Kashmir failed to meet the most important and fundamental obligations of all liquor licensees," said Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Michael Halfacre.  "Neither of those young men should have been allowed to set foot into the premises because they were not of age, and no person can be served alcohol when they appear intoxicated.  These failures resulted in the tragic and untimely deaths of an 18-year-old and a 20-year-old."

"This horrific episode should serve as a wake up call to all our licensees and encourage them to get back to fundamental responsibilities of owning a liquor license," said Halfacre.  "Licensees need to check identification to make sure that those trying to gain access to their establishment or trying to order a drink are old enough to do so.  They also must be aware of how much their patrons are drinking.  Licensees have a responsibility to ensure no one is over served."