Teen Allegedly Gets Alcohol Poisoning At Restaurant

by Doug Wernet

LAS CRUCES — A teenager remains hospitalized after an alcohol poisoning he allegedly sustained over the weekend at a Christmas party.

Michael David Valdez, 15,said he drank vodka and tequila at an employee party.

“You almost died last night,” said Elisa Valdez to her son.

Valdez said she dropped off her son at the Double Eagle Restaurant. She never imagined that she would have to pick him up at the hospital.

She says her son got the drinks at the restaurant. “They didn’t control their alcohol. They have all these minors there and they didn’t control it,” she said.

Double Eagle Manager Jerry Harrellsaid Valdez was already drunk when he got there. “We never saw him with a drink, bottle of beer or a Coca-Cola. When he collapsed, he was having a seizure,” he says. Harrell says his workers made sure Valdez and all other minors did not drink any liquor or alcohol at the restaurant.

Mesilla marshals are investigating where Valdez could have gotten the alcohol. District Attorney Susana Martinez has been notified about the incident and says she willstart an investigation.

His mother said she is just glad her son is alive. “Its a miracle, it’s a miracle,” she said.