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Was wrong-way driver overserved at memorial?

Liquor board plans probe; woman had BAC of 0.20 percent

By John Branton
Published: March 17, 2010, 12:00am

Was Sheila M. Walls — who left a memorial service in downtown Vancouver on Jan. 9, drove the wrong way on state Highway 14 and crashed into three cars — served too much alcohol?

Enforcement officers with the Washington State Liquor Control Board plan to investigate possible overserving of alcohol to Walls, 29, who died in the 4:35 p.m. crash and seriously injured two others, said Capt. Lisa Reinke with the liquor board.

Meanwhile, a Portland attorney who is representing Brian and Elizabeth Gonsalves of Camas, who were injured in the crash, said they are still feeling the effects.

Elizabeth Gonsalves suffered a fractured neck, spine and left wrist, and abdominal injuries, according to the Washington State Patrol report. Today, she can’t walk without assistance and has home health care, said attorney Michael Wise.

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Brian Gonsalves suffered a shattered ankle, Wise said.

Last week, the state patrol revealed that Walls’ blood-alcohol level was 0.20, more than twice the legal threshold level of 0.08 that constitutes drunken driving.

Walls, who worked for Columbia Helicopters, had attended a memorial service for the company’s founder, Wes Lematta, conducted at Esther Short Park and the nearby Hilton Vancouver Washington.

About 800 people attended the service for Lematta, a Vancouver philanthropist who died Christmas Eve at age 82.

The liquor board first learned of the case Tuesday from the Washington State Patrol. A liquor board enforcement officer will conduct a joint investigation, conferring with state troopers and making sure not to impede the troopers’ work, Reinke said.

According to state law, a hotel, bar or restaurant employee commits overserving by selling alcohol to a customer who shows “apparent and obvious signs of intoxication,” including slurred speech and staggering, Reinke said.

But it’s not easy to pin down.

“It’s sometimes very hard to prove who served the alcohol to the person,” Reinke added.

In addition, the officer would have to establish that Walls showed visible signs of intoxication.

It’s also possible that Walls might have left the memorial and drank somewhere else.

“We have no idea where she drank last,” Reinke said Tuesday.

The Columbian was unable Tuesday night to reach the Hilton’s general manager, Gerry Link, for comment.

Budget cuts have affected the liquor board, Reinke said.

The Vancouver office has been closed and three enforcement officers now cover Clark County and several other counties in Southwest Washington.

Statewide, the agency oversees more than 16,000 liquor licenses; there are 65 officers, most working liquor law enforcement but some who work on tobacco law enforcement, said Brian E. Smith, communications director for the board.

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