A RIVERINA licensee, venue and patron have been charged with liquor offences as part of investigations into the death of a young man on the region's roads earlier this year.
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A male under the age of 18, who was the sole occupant and driver, rolled his vehicle in the Temora region.
Emergency services, including police, responded but the young man died at the scene.
The Riverina Police District established Strike Force Twyford to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, leading investigators to establish that the driver had attended a licensed premises in Temora the previous evening.
At the hotel in Temora, police allege the deceased had been given a number of alcoholic drinks by both the licensee and a 24-year-old patron known to the teenager.
Riverina Police District commander Superintendent Bob Noble said the incident was "tragic".
"What we have here tragically comes down to the death of a young person visiting the area on a country road," he said.
"It is very tragic, and we want to remind all licensees that they need to be extremely vigilant in terms of their responsibilities.
"Police are alleging that due diligence wasn't exercised in determining if that person was of legal drinking age."
A number of charges were laid against three parties on November 17 in relation to the alleged offence.
A 29-year-old woman, who is the Temora venue's licensee, was charged with three counts of selling liquor to a minor on licensed premises, two counts of person related to licensed premises supplying liquor, and licensee sell/supply liquor to intoxicated person.
The licensed premises itself was charged with eleven counts of selling liquor to a minor on licensed premises, two counts of person related to licensed premises supplying liquor, licensee sell/supply liquor to intoxicated person, and two counts of licensee failing to comply with conditions of licence.
The 24-year-old patron was charged with three counts of person unrelated to licensed premises supplying liquor to a minor.
In other news:
The licensee and patron were issued court attendance notices to appear in Temora Local Court on Wednesday, February 24.
The tragedy served as an important message against the dangers of drink driving, according to Superintendent Noble.
"No one is blaming the licensee for the death of this young person. The individual made that decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated," he said.
"But there is also a broader message here that young people, or any person, are vulnerable when they drink alcohol, and no adult should provide alcohol to a young person, no matter who you are."
Superintendent Noble said the charges laid were a step toward changing society's approach to alcohol, but sadly, would not bring the young man back.
"The family of this young man to this day, and for many years to come, will be in a world of hurt," he said.
"I don't know that this will provide them any comfort - I don't know what could."