ABC Revokes the License of Kyoto Sushi After Drunk Driving Crash

Los Angeles – The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has revoked the license of Kyoto Sushi in the West Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles after the restaurant furnished alcohol to a 20-year-old employee. The employee left the restaurant and was involved in a deadly crash that killed a 12-year-old and 16-year-old passenger in another vehicle.

ABC opened a Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) investigation immediately after the crash to find out the source of the alcohol that was consumed by the underage driver.

Following the investigation, ABC agents determined that the manager of Kyoto Sushi and a server furnished alcoholic beverages to 20-year-old Jungwon “Hailey” Kang. Her blood alcohol level was between .15 percent and .17 percent, according to tests taken at the scene of the crash. The legal limit for drivers 21 and older is .08 percent.

“It is critical for licensees to be vigilant about checking identifications to keep tragedies like this one from occurring,” said ABC Director Eric Hirata.

ABC sought disciplinary action against Kyoto Sushi’s alcoholic beverage license for furnishing alcohol to a minor and furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor causing great bodily injury or death. The licensee agreed to a revocation of the license following these accusations. A criminal case is also under review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The TRACE program is made possible by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The grant provides funding for ABC investigations of alcohol-related incidents that involve a person under 21 causing great bodily injury or death, or anyone charged with vehicular manslaughter that was under the influence of alcohol regardless of their age.

Visit ABC’s website to learn more about TRACE.

Contact

Additional information may be obtained by contacting:

Public Information Office
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: pio@abc.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 419-2525

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