I Wish He Was Here: Venues Lose Licences After Selling Alcohol to Teens Before Fatal Crash

Two Auckland bars had their liquor licences suspended and a liquor shop had its licence cancelled after selling alcohol to a 16-year-old who later died in a drink-driving crash, the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority has confirmed.

The authority found that Silas Sims, 16, was able to purchase alcohol at three different venues on July 19, 2025, without being asked for identification, despite being underage. His blood alcohol level was more than three times the adult legal limit when he crashed his car into a power pole later that day.

The Matakana Liquor Centre sold alcohol to Sims and his friend on three separate occasions that day, including a 700ml bottle of Jägermeister purchased after 2pm. Duty manager Tracey Brown showed him where the spirit was located but did not request ID.

Two bars that served Sims drinks on the same day had their licences suspended eight months after the crash, while the liquor shop had its licence cancelled. The authority described the ease with which the teenagers obtained alcohol as “disturbing” and “alarming,” noting there was no effort to verify their ages.

Silas’ parents, who advocated for the venues to face consequences, said they were satisfied the outcome served as part of a deterrence effort. His father, Benjamin Sims, stated they wanted the case to act as a wake-up call about underage drinking and the responsibilities of licensed premises.