After OUI Crash, Selectmen Want To Talk To Danvers Restaurant

DANVERS, MA — Danvers Selectmen are asking managers of Mexicali Mexican Grille to appear before the board to discuss a January incident in which a woman got in a car crash after leaving the restaurant. The woman was charged with operating under the influence and a manager told police she had been served margaritas when they visited the restaurant the day after the accident.

At last week's meeting, selectmen were cautious not to place blame on the restaurant but agreed with Danvers Police Chief Patrick Ambrose that the restaurant should discuss the incident with the board. "It wouldn’t matter where she said she last drank, I think it would be important to have them here," Selectmen Chairman Gardner Trask said.

According to Ambrose, Danvers police were called to the scene of the crash Jan. 17 at 11:23 p.m. The woman was traveling westbound on Route 114 and missed the on-ramp to Interstate 95. She drove off the road, down an embankment and into a drainage area. The woman was treated at Beverly Hospital for injuries sustained in the crash.

When Danvers police visited Mexicali the following day, a receipt showed the woman had purchased two margaritas, and some of the people she was with had purchased additional drinks. "Whether it took five drinks to get there or two, their serving is what led to the intoxication," Ambrose said. "They’re supposed to be observant of the people they are sending alcohol to."

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).