TABC investigating Hope and Anchor after fatal crash

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission said it has opened an investigation into West El Paso bar Hope and Anchor after a fatal crash last week. Nineteen-year-old Ambar Chavaria, 19, was arrested and is facing a charge of collision involving death in the fatal crash on April 6 along North Desert Boulevard that killed Jaime Humberto Andrade, 56. In a court document obtained by KTSM, Chavaria told investigators she had been drinking at the Hope and Anchor bar with her "Sugar Daddy" before the crash. TABC confirmed that it has started an investigation into the Hope and Anchor but the establishment has no complaints or violations on record. "Generally, these types of investigations seek to determine whether any alcohol which may have been involved in the fatality was improperly or irresponsibly served by a TABC-licensed retailer," TABC said in a statement given to KTSM. "That would include situations where alcohol was served to a minor or to a person who was intoxicated at the time of service. At present, the state’s investigation is focused on any actions or practices on the part of the business. The actions of the suspected driver or any other persons not employed by the business would be the domain of local law enforcement," TABC added. Hope and Anchor, a neighborhood bar operating in El Paso since 2009, said that in 16 years it has never had a citation or violation from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and that they are cooperating with the TABC inquiry. Here is the business' statement: "Our hearts go out to the Andrade family. Jaime Andrade was a member of this community and his loss is a tragedy. Hope and Anchor has been part of the El Paso community for over 16 years. We are a neighborhood bar and we take our responsibilities as a licensed establishment very seriously. It's how we have operated since our inception. "We are cooperating fully with TABC and stand by our staff's training, our ID verification protocols, and our legally vetted handbooks. Fake IDs are a persistent challenge facing every licensed establishment in El Paso and across Texas, and we card every guest who appears to be under the age of 30."Hope and Anchor requires ID checks for all guests who appear to be under 30. When a guest presents what appears to be a valid, government-issued ID, Texas law considers that due diligence fulfilled. Hope and Anchor was presented with such an ID on the evening of April 6.In over 16 years of operation, Hope and Anchor has never received a citation or violation from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Hope and Anchor is cooperating with the TABC inquiry."