AGCO spokesperson Lisa Murray confirmed last week that the commission is conducting an investigation into the club’s activities on the evening of the accident.

Tyler Mulcahy, 20, Cory Mintz, 20, and Kourosh Totonchian, 19, all of Toronto, died July 3 when their vehicle plunged off a Peninsula Road embankment and into the Joseph River.

A fourth passenger in the vehicle, Nastasia Elzinga, 19, also of Toronto, was treated for minor injuries at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital and released.

While police have yet to receive toxicology reports on the victims, Bracebridge OPP said July 11 that speed and alcohol were definite factors in the crash. The men reportedly had drinks at the Lake Joseph Club before the accident.

Murray said the AGCO is looking into the matter.

“We’re looking at the question of ‘was there any connection between this place (Joseph Club) and the accident,” she said. “Anytime we get information that there could be a connection between the sale and service of alcohol and an accident, we check it out.”

The question of whether staff over-served alcohol to the young men will be examined, she indicated.

Murray said the commission is talking to staff and patrons of the club who may have witnessed the group’s activities. It is also working with local police to learn more about the events leading up to the crash.

According to the Liquor Licence Act, establishments convicted of over-serving alcohol can face a maximum fine of $250,000. Individuals convicted of the same offence can face a maximum $100,000 fine and/or one year in prison.

Establishments can also have their liquor licence revoked for serving to intoxication, permitting drunkenness or allowing disruptive behaviour, Murray said.

“It all comes from the premise that serving alcohol is a serious business. If it’s not done properly, a lot of things can go wrong.”

Bracebridge OPP Inspector Ed Medved declined to comment on whether police believe the men were drinking to excess prior to the accident.

“We can’t say at this point,” Medved said Friday. He stressed that no charges have been laid against anyone in the incident. OPP, however, are looking closely at the youths’ actions leading up to the accident, he said.

“We’re looking deeper at the victims’ activities,” he said. “We’re looking at all the circumstances in and around the crash, both leading up to it and beyond it.”

Scott Davidson, vice-president of corporate operations for ClubLink, which operates the Lake Joseph Club, said the company is co-operating fully with the investigation.

Davidson said he could not comment on the matter.

He did, however, say all ClubLink servers are certified by Smart Serve to abide by the Liquor Licence Act.

He declined to comment on whether any staff at the Lake Joseph Club were disciplined in regard to the July 3 incident.