From North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement

GREENVILLE — A North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement special agent charged two Washington residents today with providing alcohol to an underaged person involved in a single car accident June 21.

ALE charged Andy Knight Woolard, 29, and Crystal I. Woolard, 21, of 197 Spainville Drive, Washington, with giving malt beverages and aiding and abetting someone under the age of 21. ALE also charged the recipient of the alcohol, Joseph Wayne Voliva, 19, with underage possession and consumption.

The Woolards were holding a housewarming party for friends and family and allegedly provided alcohol for their guests, including Voliva who left the party about 4 a.m. on June 22 and crashed his vehicle at the intersection of Mill Hope Road and Terrapin Track Road in Beaufort County. The State Highway Patrol investigated Voliva’s accident and contacted ALE about the suspected underage drinking.

According to the State Highway Patrol, Voliva sustained minor injuries to his wrist and was transported to Vidant Beaufort Hospital and subsequently released.

“Consuming alcoholic beverages under the age of 21 or providing alcohol to someone under the age of 21 is illegal in North Carolina,” said Mark Senter, ALE branch head. “There are far too many young lives damaged due to underage consumption of alcoholic beverages, and the careless distribution of these beverages to underage by others.”

In addition to Voliva’s accident, another of the Woolards’ guest, Jodie Alonza Rouse, 22, left the Woolards’ party about 5 a.m. As she was driving home, Rouse’s car crossed the center line and overturned in a ditch on the opposite side of the road. She was not injured. Her accident occurred about 3 miles from Voliva’s. The State Highway Patrol charged Rouse with driving under the influence.

“One of ALE’s core missions is to investigate where or how an underage person is able to obtain alcohol,” said Eric Swain, special agent in charge of ALE’s Greenville office. “ALE presses charges whether the provider is an ABC-licensed outlet, a private individual, parents or friends who provide alcohol to young people.”

Swain also noted the critical partnerships with other law enforcement agencies like the State Highway Patrol.

“Getting timely information is important in meting out justice quickly,” Swain said. “The State Highway Patrol called ALE immediately with information on a possible case of an adult providing alcohol to a 19-year-old. This case is a great example of law enforcement working together.”