Party Hosts Charged With Providing Alcohol to Minor Who Died

Two Escondido men who hosted a party were charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor, who later lost control of her car and died in the ensuing accident.

San Diego prosecutors charged Michael Love and Nick Bowser with three misdemeanors each, all alleging that they unlawfully provided alcohol drinks to a minor. According to reports, Love and Bowser hosted a party of about 50 people, one of whom in attendance was 17-year-old Veronica Aguirre, a Poway High cheerleader. Aguirre left the party in her Kia Sportage and lost control on Mountain Meadow Road, rolling it several times. She died at the scene.

While it’s unusually to see criminal charges in this type of case, the district attorney office felt it had to do something.

“This is a very tragic outcome and this is something that has to be dealt with,” said D.A. Garett Wong. “Our office needs to make sure that someone is held accountable for that.”

In addition to criminal charges, Love and Bowser both could be held civilly liable for wrongful death. Such a case could be brought by Aguirre’s surviving family members. On the criminal side, the defendants face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Source: 10News.com

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