3 Accused Of Serving Alcohol To Minors Before Crash Are Charged

HOUSTON, TX — Three people accused of serving a 20-year old woman and 17-year old friend alcohol in the hours before they were involved in an accident that killed a 36-year year old woman and her infant son, have been charged for their role in that fatal accident.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office charged John Medina, 23, and Devin Jackson, 24, with knowingly purchasing and providing alcohol to a minor.

Medina was also charged with aggravated perjury for providing false testimony to the Harris County grand jury.

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Amy Allen, 40, a bartender at Crescent City Connection Sports and Oyster Bar on El Camino Real, was charged with criminal negligence.

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The arrests were announced Thursday by Sean Teare, who heads up the Vehicular Crimes Division of the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

“We are ground zero for alcohol-related car crashes and deaths in the United States,” Harris County DA Kim Ogg said. We really couldn't do worse than our current record.”

The purpose of the task force is to backtrack on the investigation after an alcohol-related crash, and determine if charges can be filed.

In this particular case, they were.

“This is extraordinary and they (the accused) will face serious criminal penalties,” Ogg said.

Jackson, who is the son of the bar owner, Medina, and Allen, all are accused of serving alcohol to Veronica Rivas, 20, and her 17-year old friend in the hours leading up to the fatal accident.

Rivas was indicted on two counts of intoxication manslaughter in March for the Feb. 28 accident that killed Shayla Joseph and her son, 3-month old Braylan Jabari Joseph.

Rivas allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .21 and was driving her SUV at 90 miles per hour when she slammed into the back of Joseph’s car on the Interstate 45 feeder near El Dorado.

Rivas, who is out on bond, could spend 40 years in prison if she is convicted.

Jackson faces a year behind bars and a $4,000 fine if he is convicted, and Medina could spend 10 years in prison and pay a $4,000 fine if he is convicted.

“The charges today, I hope they instill fear in every single person’s heart that serves alcohol,” Teare said. “I hope this causes people to be more responsible, because if you are not we will hold you responsible. The citizens of Harris County are tired of this.”

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