18 year old taken to hospital after ‘large intoxicated crowd’ found at unlicensed liquor establishment

CRAINVILLE, Ill. (KBSI) – An 18-year-old man was taken to a hospital after authorities say he purchased alcoholic beverages from an unlicensed liquor establishment in Crainville.

Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of an unconscious male at 1615 Landing Drive in Crainville at 3:54 a.m. on Sunday, January 7.

Deputies found an 18-year-old unconscious man just outside the doorway of the unlicensed liquor establishment called “The Smokin Hookah”. Authorities day it is operated by John D. Thomas.

Multiple doses of Narcan were administered to the unconscious man.

Deputies say there was a large intoxicated crowd both inside and outside of the business including several underage patrons.

Deputies found the unconscious man purchased a controlled substance believed to be Fentanyl while inside the business. They say he also purchased about $200 of alcoholic beverages from the unlicensed liquor establishment.

He was taken to an area hospital for further treatment.

“Unlicensed liquor establishments which continue to defy the legal obligations of licensing, inspections, and operating hour limitations will be lawfully shut down,” said Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich. “Guns, drugs, and underage consumption of alcohol have become way too common of an occurrence at these unlicensed establishments.”

The Carterville Police Department, Crainville Police Department, Energy Police Department, Illinois Liquor Commission and the Illinois State Police assisted the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation remains ongoing.