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Couple charged in teen drinking
State investigators say the couple knew of the underage drinking that preceded a fatal crash.
By CATHERINE E. SHOICHET
Published July 26, 2007
VALRICO - The State Attorney's Office has charged two adults with misdemeanors, saying they hosted a house party where teenagers consumed alcohol before a deadly car crash last year.
But that did little to calm the rage of Denise Clark, whose 17-year-old son Tyler was killed in the crash.
"Somebody that leaves their dog in the car gets a worse punishment than what they're going to get," she said. "I'm going to start doing my research and see what I can do about trying to get these laws changed. I'm just infuriated."
Tara McEntarffer, 42, and her boyfriend, Lamar Justice, 42, are charged with hosting an "open house party" at her home in Valrico If they are convicted, they could get up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said.
McEntarffer and Justice could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
The charges come several weeks after a state investigation concluded the couple was home at the time of the October party and knew of the underage drinking.
After attending the party, Tyler and a group of teens climbed into his Jeep, according to investigators with the state's Identifying Contributors to Alcohol Related Events program.
The vehicle spun out of control and crashed, killing Clark and injuring seven other teens.
An autopsy concluded Tyler was driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.10. State law presumes a driver is impaired at a level 0.08 and above. Because he was under 21, Tyler was not legally allowed to have any alcohol.
According to the state investigation, McEntarffer has a teen son who was friends with the kids in the Jeep.
Not anymore, said Anthony Terlizzi, 44, whose son Christopher was injured in the crash.
"There's a lot of tension between everybody. You've got a kid that's dead. You've got people that have 2-foot-long scars on their body forever," he said. "If they did what they're accused of doing, they should pay, and they should pay dearly."
Clark, 43, said if the case against McEntarffer and Justice goes to trial, she'll be there in court.
"I want her McEntarffer to see me. I want her to see the pain," Clark said. "She gets to wake up and see her son. I get to wake up and see the box on the dresser where my son's ashes are."
Times staff writers Colleen Jenkins contributed to this report. Catherine E. Shoichet can be reached at cshoichet@sptimes.com or (813) 661-2454.
[Last modified July 26, 2007, 02:21:49]
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by sandy
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09/29/07 01:26 PM
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Sorry to hear about the terrible tragedy that has touched these kids and their families.Unfortunately, I know Tara Urso and she takes no responsiblity for her actions& she never will.Stop trying to befriend all your sons pals and be a parent for once
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by DR
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07/27/07 08:47 AM
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Lets blame everybody for everything. Fact of the matter is, a person got behind the wheel impaired and killed people. Parents made mistake in trusting kids to make good decisions. Parents can't hold the kids hand forever through life.Drivers at fault
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by Mellie
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07/26/07 03:19 PM
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The adults are at fault for providing the acohol. The teens were in their care so the parents should be charged with child endangerment. Teens will obtain alcohol if they want it, but those who provide it should pay the price for putting kids at risk
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by MARE
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07/26/07 02:59 PM
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HELLOOOOOOOOO
THEY SAID THEY knew OF THE DRINKING not SUPPLIED THEM. BIG DIFFERENCE
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by Joe
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07/26/07 11:54 AM
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OH MY God Denise Clark...Just what we need...more drinking laws. For Christ's sake, 2.5 beers and you are in trouble now. Give it up. Drunk driving is not premeditated so don't feel you have to burn them at the stake like a cold blooded killer.
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by Mark
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07/26/07 11:29 AM
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There is plenty of fault to go around. I do not agree that if the alcohol was not provide the accident would not have happen. Kids are resouceful in finding ways to drink. Our culture now is to always find fault - how about solutions
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by jack s
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07/26/07 11:05 AM
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The truth is both the driver and the parents who supplied the alcohol are responsible for this tragedy. Mrs Clark is right that the charges against the alcohol suppliers should be more severe considering their illegal actions resultd in death.
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by Ugghh
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07/26/07 09:11 AM
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Does anyone realize that these two adults have NEVER been interviewed by an official in this case? Not one HCSO has talked to them! The kids are the only one who has told their story....not fair. Wait until the full story unfolds before judging...
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by mike
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07/26/07 09:06 AM
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A man gets 25 years for having prescription vicodin and no one got hurt. These two feed teens alcohol, one leaves and drives, killing someone, they get misdemeanor charge.
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by Kay
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07/26/07 08:26 AM
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Dave is right. If you are looking for someone to blame, look no further than your dresser. YOU should be apologizing for your son and his actions that scarred all those kids. I am sure you taught him better.
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by kara
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07/26/07 08:23 AM
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The ultimate problem is that the parents supplied the alcohol. If alcohol is taken out of the formula then this situations would most likely have never occurred. True, the parents aren't the only ones at fault but they are the root of the problem.
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by Dave
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07/26/07 07:15 AM
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True, they shouldn't have let the teenagers drink, but that has been happening for years. Clark's teenage son put the rest of the passengers lives at risk by driving intoxicated. I have no sympathy for him. I am sure he knew not to drink and drive.
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