Underage alcohol charges follow fatal North Carolina skateboard accident death
An investigation into a June 11 fatal skateboarding accident has now led to alcohol charges for at least two North Carolina residents. An 18-year-old Salisbury, North Carolina man called 911 around 1:30 a.m. June 11, to report that his 16-year-old friend had been injured in a skateboarding accident. The caller reportedly had been driving a pickup truck, while following the skateboarder that early morning.
Authorities say that they found the skateboarder in the street when they arrived at the scene. They believe that the young man lost his balance and fell, although they continue to suspect that the skateboarder may have been “towing,” or “skidding” behind the pickup truck when the horrible accident occurred. The skateboarder suffered head injuries and tragically died that morning at the hospital.
Law enforcement claims that the skateboarder and his friend were drinking before the fatal accident. The friend who had called 911 was cited for underage drinking and an open bottle violation. Investigators reportedly looked for the source of the alcohol and have now charged the owner of a convenience store with two counts of selling a malt beverage to someone under the age of 21.
Rowan County deputies and agents from the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division reportedly reviewed surveillance tapes from the Salisbury, North Carolina convenience store. Authorities claim that the tapes show the skateboarder buying beer on June 9 and June 10. Authorities claim that staff from the convenience store did not request an ID from the 16-year-old in either alleged alcohol purchase.
Officials say the investigation into the fatal accident remains open.
Source: Charlotte Observer, “Alcohol charges filed in teen’s skateboarding death,” Meghan Cooke, June 20, 2012
Tags: Accident, Alcohol, Carolina, Charges, death, Fatal, Follow, North, skateboard, Underage