The state Revenue Department is revoking the liquor and gambling licenses of a Bigfork bowling alley for violations that occurred after a 2009 head-on crash killed an intoxicated employee and a Montana Highway Patrol trooper.
In November 2009, the state filed a notice of revocation against Louwania Pickavance listing seven violations, including five related to the March 23, 2009, crash that killed Trooper Michael Haynes and Columbia Falls resident Travis Vandersloot.
Vandersloot, 29, had been working and drinking at the bowling alley on the night of the crash. A patrol investigation determined he consumed 13 alcoholic beverages before leaving in his car, which collided head on with Haynes’ on U.S. Highway 93.
The settlement agreement on the revocation notice allowed Pickavance to sell the liquor license to a family member, who had no previous ownership interest, thus keeping the bowling alley open. Conditions of the agreement included the fact that the license would be revoked if the bowling alley had two alcohol violations during the next three years, the Missoulian reported.
The Liquor Control Division said Pick’s Bowling Center was cited for selling alcohol to a minor in both April and December of 2011, meaning the license will be revoked without the opportunity for a hearing before a Department of Revenue examiner.
“This is a revocation action, so it cannot be negotiated,” said Shauna Helfert, division administrator.
The current licensee, David Pickavance, may re-apply for a liquor license one year from the date of the revocation, as long as there are licenses available in Bigfork.
“The applicant would need to demonstrate that they have taken steps to prevent the cause of revocation from occurring in the future,” Helfert said Monday.
David Pickavance declined comment.
Helfert said she is working with the Department of Justice’s Gambling Control Division to schedule a date to revoke both the liquor and gambling licenses.
Businesses with video gambling machines must also have liquor licenses, so Pick’s would lose both licenses, Helfert said.