Des Moines Register
04-18-07
County to study Ames partygoers' police interviews
Authorities will determine if charges should be filed against alcohol providers.
By LISA ROSSI
REGISTER AMES BUREAU
Ames, Ia. - Iowa State University and Ames police are forwarding interview
transcripts from people who attended the party where Abel Bolanos was drinking
before he accidentally drowned to the Story County attorney's office.
Jim Robinson of the Ames Police Department said the Story County attorney's
office will examine the interview reports to see if charges will be filed against
those who provided alcohol to underage drinkers at the off-campus party. The
party was held at 208 S. Hyland Ave. in Ames.
"After their review, they will make a determination if there will be any charges,"
Robinson said.
Bolanos, 19, was a sophomore from Rolling Meadows, Ill. Search teams
found his body April 3 in Lake LaVerne. Police said no foul play was involved in
the drowning.
Witnesses reported he was "heavily intoxicated" at the party in the early morning
of March 31 before he left alone and wasn't seen again until he was found in the
lake.
"It's a serious matter if you provide alcohol to a minor and death or something of
a serious nature results," said Story County Attorney Stephen Holmes, who
wouldn't comment on the case because it is a pending criminal investigation.
There was more than one underage person at the party, Robinson said. Police
are investigating whether the party hosts provided alcohol or whether guests including Bolanos - brought alcohol.
Police said they have completed all interviews in the case, but are still awaiting
final toxicology tests to determine how much alcohol was in Bolanos' system
when he died.
Police have charged people in Ames with supplying alcohol to minors, especially
when the results are tragic.
In January, authorities charged one current and three former ISU students who
allegedly provided alcohol to Shanda Munn, who was an underage student when
she drank at a party before she left, and hit and killed a pedestrian with her
vehicle.
Reporter Lisa Rossi can be reached at (515) 232-2383 or lrossi@dmreg.com