Les Bourgeois suspends events
The winery is suspending events until patron safety can be guaranteed.
Published Sept. 25, 2009
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Les Bourgeois Vineyards sit on the bluff along the Missouri River. Due to an accumulation of recent incidents at the winery, upcoming events and parties planned for the next few weeks have been canceled.
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Les Bourgeois Vineyard canceled the next 15 scheduled events in the wake of recent incidents, including reports of rape and senior Brian Lindsey being hit by a bus, a news release stated.
"We are deeply troubled by the alleged incidents and are very concerned for the safety of our patrons," Les Bourgeois Vineyard spokeswoman Rachel Mills said in a news release.
Two of the incidents at the winery involved the sexual assault of young women in connection with parties the Les Bourgeois Vineyard regularly hosts for fraternities.
Major Tom Reddin of the Boone County Sheriff's Office said college students were involved.
"Reported on Sept. 13, there was a sexual assault that actually happened on Sept. 2," Reddin said. "That incident actually happened at a party with college students in attendance."
Along with the two assaults, the third incident was Lindsey being hit by a bus after the vineyard closed following a party involving a large group of college students, Reddin said.
The second occurrence of sexual assault happened Sept. 17 and was reported to the Boone County Sheriff's Office the next day.
"Our students and people in general make decisions everyday that have a certain risk associated with them," Director of Student Life Mark Lucas said. "It's tragic that students put themselves in situations that can turn out bad because of alcohol."
The final incident took place Sept. 17, the same night of the latest sexual assault, and was also connected to the parties the winery hosts. As the group was leaving, Lindsey tried to stop the bus full of people and was backed over by the bus, Reddin said.
All of the events are under investigation, with the Sheriff's Office looking into the sexual assaults and the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigating the bus accident.
"We've obviously been conducting investigations into the assaults and we are about to file reports soon," Reddin said.
Les Bourgeois Vineyard is working with the Sheriff's Office and Highway Patrol.
"We are fully cooperating with the authorities," Mills said in the news release. "We are reviewing the steps we can take to maximize the safety of our patrons."
