Tempe Tavern, the college bar embroiled in a series of high-profile raids exposing underage drinking, has abruptly closed. The closure comes after a second fatal accident was tied to the bar.
Zachary Robert Penrod told officers he drank three beers at a Tempe bar before getting into his car in the early hours of Sept. 16. Two cars were pulled to the side of U.S. 60 near Higley Road to change a flat tire when the car driven by Penrod crashed into them, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Ruth Acuna De Valenzuela died. Three others were treated for injuries, as was Penrod.
DPS troopers noticed the smell of alcohol on Penrod’s breath, per court documents. The 21-year-old was arrested and booked into Maricopa County Jail on one count of manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of endangerment…