Trump golf course in Colts Neck NJ fined $400K over DWI death

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COLTS NECK — Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck must pay $400,000 in fines after being charged with violations of state alcoholic beverage control laws in connection with a 2015 car crash that killed a 67-year-old River Edge man.

The state alleged the club sold drinks to the driver when he was on the course and was “apparently or actually intoxicated.”

The fine resolves charges brought against the Trump golf club in 2019. The club faced the loss of its liquor license, a major amenity and revenue stream for a private golf course.

The golf course pleaded non vult, according to the July 7 consent order. That means it does not contest the charges, accepts the court’s decision and waives the right to any hearing or appeal in the case.

Christopher Porrino, the former state attorney general now in private practice, represented the golf course. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Aside from the fine, the golf course must expand its alcoholic beverage service training of staff and not allow members or guests to buy more than two drinks to be taken out to the course to drink, according to the consent order.

Cart service out on the course, which was limited to malt alcoholic beverages, can no longer include any alcoholic drinks.

The state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control in its 2019 notice of charges alleged that the club sold alcoholic drinks from its cart service other than malt beverages without its license allowing it.

Serving alcoholic drinks is now limited to the clubhouse and the halfway house – a building at the halfway point of a round that serves food and drinks.

Previous: Trump’s Colts Neck golf course could lose its liquor license

The action stems from an alcohol-involved crash that killed the father of the man driving.

On Aug. 30, 2015 Andrew Halder, 35, from Woodcliff Lake, was driving a 2007 Mini Cooper after leaving the club about 3 p.m. His father, Gary Halder, was the only passenger.

Original story: Son accused of dad’s death in Colts Neck

The pair had played a round earlier in the day, authorities said.

In Colts Neck, Halder tried to get onto Route 18 north from Route 537 west. When his car drove onto the ramp to Route 18, it hit the curb, flipped and rolled. His father was thrown from the car. Gary Halder was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he died from his injuries, authorities said.

Andrew Halder was charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated, and displaying a fictitious inspection sticker. Authorities would only confirm that he had a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit of .08.

Halder, now 41, was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine in April 2018, according to DataUniverse.

Ken Serrano has covered crime, breaking news, investigations and local issues in New Jersey for more than 20 years. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or kserrano@gannettnj.com.