By John Tozzi
Police Tuesday shut down Byzantio Cafe, the Bayside nightspot where a 19-year-old Rego Park woman was allegedly served a drink in November the night the car she was driving crashed and killed a passenger, according to Lt. Daniel Heffernan of the 111th Precinct.
Several days after the accident, police conducted an undercover operation where an underage officer was served a drink, Heffernan said. The same night, police observed an open drug transaction among patrons inside the bar, he said.
Byzantio, at 45-30 Bell Blvd., has been cited several times under the nuisance abatement law in recent years, Heffernan said, although not since new management took over in April 2005. The bar's owner could not be reached for comment. A court date is set for Friday to determine whether the bar will remain closed, police said.
