Teen's Fatal Crash Leads To Charges Against Liquor Store Owner In Middlebury: Police

MIDDLEBURY, CT — An owner of a local liquor store is accused of selling alcohol to a minor who later died in an accident, according to police.

A fatal crash occurred on Middlebury Road on July 10 that led to the death of an 18-year-old.

A police investigation revealed that the victim had purchased alcohol from International Wine and Spirits at 750 Straits Turnpike.

Police obtained a search warrant and reviewed video surveillance recordings of the store. The investigation found that the store's owner, Sriman Sriramula, 24, did not ask for identification during the purchase, according to a police statement.

Sriramula was charged with sale of alcohol to a minor. He was released on $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on Aug. 13.

Police said International Wine and Spirits is "cooperating fully with the investigation," which remains active.

There was a second arrest at the liquor store Tuesday. In that case, a detective saw a 19-year-old purchase alcohol at the store.

The teen told police that he was not asked for identification when he purchase the alcohol. Another store owner was arrested and charged with sale of alcohol to a minor.