DUI Accident Results in Death, 3 Charged with Alcohol-Related Crimes

The August 20th DUI accident that killed Max Bratton, 20, and seriously injured his passenger, Ethan Herring, 19, is now the basis for criminal charges against three different people.

The Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency has charged 23 year old Andrew Ryan Buhrmeister, 18 year old Chelsea Rae Smith, and 46 year old Mary McCoy with aiding and abetting an underage person in possession malt beverages or liquor, which often referred to as beer. Smith was also charged with underage possession and purchasing liquor underage. Buhrmeister was also charged with providing an underage person with liquor.

According to police reports, Bratton was drinking at Smith's party and drove drunk afterwards. Under dram shop laws, those who provided him liquor are responsible for his actions. McCoy is Smith's mother, and allegedly provided beer for the event, while Buhrmeister brought hard alcohol to the party. 

Contact a Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorney at Hopper Law for more information about how we can help if you have been charged with a crime.