The malt beverage Four Loko, which Demetrius Jordan, 20, has told officers he drank in addition to consuming liquor and smoking marijuana prior to Sunday's fatal crash that killed four people, is popular with young people because it combines 12 percent alcohol with caffeine.
The beverage comes in a variety of flavors and has been the subject of controversy because some believe its makers are targeting teens. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wants the Federal Trade Commission to investigate. He said Four Loko looks like Monster energy drinks, which do not contain alcohol.
When shown a can of Four Loko in its grape flavor, St. Petersburg registered dietitian and nutritionist Lea Russell called it "scary stuff." She said the can looks like it appeals to kids.
"It's definitely going to put you on a total high. I mean, we already know what caffeine does to people," Russell said. "And so it's going to keep you awake and allow you to keep drinking alcohol because alcohol is a depressant and now it's giving you the caffeine so you can drink more alcohol."
The crash at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street and 22nd Avenue North in St. Petersburg killed Elroy McConnell II and his three adult sons, Elroy McConnell III, Kelly McConnell and Nathan McConnell. All four victims were from Orlando.
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