Bar shut down for a month for role in drunk driving crash that killed woman

A Burlington County bar has been shut down for a month after the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control says that the bar played a role in a drunk driving crash that claimed the life of a young woman.

News 12 Staff

Feb 14, 2020, 10:52 PM

Updated 1,540 days ago

Share:

A Burlington County bar has been shut down for a month after the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control says that the bar played a role in a drunk driving crash that claimed the life of a young woman.
Ariana Williams died in the 2016 crash after she went out drinking at Brickwall Tavern Burlington with Justin Rodriguez, an off-duty Burlington police officer. Rodriguez was driving.
“The day it happened, I was in the front room and she left and she said, ‘I love you,’ and that was the last time I heard her voice. It just hurts,” says father Ronald Williams.
The Florence Township family says that they will never stop grieving their loved one.
“We’re never going to be over her,” says mother Chavella Williams.
This week, the ABC issued Brickwall Tavern Burlington penalties. The department says that the establishment overserved alcohol to Rodriguez, contributing to the crash.
“I don’t know the circumstances. I was not there that night. I can only go off hearsay,” says Tatiana Williams, Ariana’s twin sister. “But I know what I do and I know how I treat my customers and I want everybody to be safe.”
Brickwall Tavern Burlington is now serving a 30-day suspension, shutting down until the beginning of March. The bar is also facing a $300,000 fine and must give up its liquor license within two years.
"We don't think that anything is ever going to be enough as a family. I can't even tell you the tremendous pain that you feel and the suffering and the loss. It's not enough. It's never gonna bring her back,” says Chavella.
The family says they didn't know that these penalties were coming. Since the news broke, they've received backlash on social media about the closure.
“You really have to realize what you’re saying about people’s family members. It’s really unfair to be treated a certain way because an establishment has done something,” Chavella says.
Calls made to Brickwall Tavern Burlington for comment were not returned.
The Alloway Village Inn in Salem County is facing similar repercussions from the ABC stemming from two deadly DWI crashes. That bar will begin serving its suspension in September.


More from News 12
2:32
Keeping kids safe: Youth curfew now in effect for the city of Newark

Keeping kids safe: Youth curfew now in effect for the city of Newark

1:46
Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

1:17
Cloudy skies overnight; rainy weekend ahead for New Jersey

Cloudy skies overnight; rainy weekend ahead for New Jersey

0:42
NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

0:28
Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

0:27
Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

0:30
Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

0:27
Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

2:02
Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

1:04
Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

0:49
Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

0:39
Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

0:28
GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

0:40
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

1:12
Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

0:18
South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

0:23
South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

2:10
Paws & Pals: Lilypad now up for adoption with AHS Newark

Paws & Pals: Lilypad now up for adoption with AHS Newark

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning