An Alberta judge at a fatality inquiry for two men who died of hypothermia says bars need measures like heated outdoor shelters to keep patrons from dying in the cold after they leave.
Provincial court Justice Carol Godfrey, in a report issued Friday, says the deaths of 18-year-old Tyler Emes and 20-year-old Mohamed Munyeabdi near The Ranch Roadhouse in south Edmonton are tragic.
“It is the hope that such deaths will never occur again,” the judge writes.
The report recommends bars and clubs have heated cold-weather shelters or dry-out rooms available to intoxicated patrons, as well as free coat checks and security cameras.
It also recommends Alberta’s liquor authority establish policies regarding cold weather, hypothermia and alcohol consumption.
Godfrey says those policies should also include clear definitions for over-serving, as well as steps to get intoxicated patrons home safely, such as by making sure they have a designated driver or calling them a taxi.
The inquiry heard Emes had been bar-hopping with friends before arriving at The Ranch. He was seen on security cameras dancing, having several drinks and leaving without his friends knowing.
“Other than a very slight sway … he does not exhibit obvious signs of intoxication,” the report says.
Roughly 20 minutes later, security footage shows him looking cold, confused and intoxicated. At one point, he folds his arms around himself before lying on the ground, where road workers found him the following afternoon.
An autopsy found he had a blood-alcohol level 2-1/2 times the legal driving limit.
Almost one year to the day, Munyeabdi was found dead under a vehicle at a car dealership, wearing “indoor clothing.” He had been at The Ranch two days prior.
Court heard he tried to enter the bar with friends. A bouncer stopped one in the group because he was too drunk and told him to take a cab home. Munyeabdi went inside but was later asked to leave because he appeared intoxicated on the dance floor.
Security footage shows him running to a gas station across the street. But when a sober friend arrived, Munyeabdi was nowhere to be found.
“It appears that he walked away from the Petro-Can to the Derrick Dodge parking lot,” the report says.
“Video shows him taking off his shirt, trying door handles on vehicles and finally laying down under a vehicle, where he is later found deceased.”
An autopsy found he had a blood-alcohol level three times over the legal driving limit.
Insp. Andrew Wiebe with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, or AGLC, conducted an investigation and told court there’s no policy directing intoxicated people to leave a premises but they can’t be served more alcohol.
There’s also no policy requiring establishments to ensure patrons get home safely, he added.
At the time of Emes’ death, it was a guideline — but not policy — in the Liquor and Licensing Handbook that intoxicated individuals have a safe way home, said Rob Pape from the AGLC.
There are also no policies on cold weather or hypothermia relating to alcohol consumption.
The Ranch closed in 2019 after the two deaths and reopened months later as the Midway Music Hall.
Jesse Kupina, one of The Ranch’s owners who also has a stake in Midway, told the inquiry employees were responsible for finding taxis or friends to take patrons home. The club also had heated areas but coats couldn’t be taken inside and there was a charge for the coat check.
Practices were updated after the deaths, he said, including having a designated seating area at the front where no alcohol is served.
Midway staff must also obtain taxis for patrons, find their friends or other help, and cut them off if they’re too drunk.
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