Liquor licence charges have been withdrawn against five board members of the Shores of Erie Wine Festival.

As the charges were dropped against the individuals, a new charge was laid against the festival corporation in provincial court in Windsor on Monday.

The liquor licence charges were laid against the individuals following a fatal car crash, which took the life of 18-year-old Emily Bernauer on Sept. 6, 2014.

Bernauer was working at the Sobey's booth at the festival.

The charges against the board members were first laid in March. Andrew Bradie, the lawyer for one of those individuals, says this latest development comes as a huge relief for his client.

“I think the five people who were working as volunteers for Shores of Erie put a lot of time and effort into it and I know the fact they were charged individually up until today was a worry,” says Bradie.

Bradie says he's pleased it's been a stressful time for his client, Anne Rota.

“With this looming over her head for this length of time, it has taken a toll on her,” says Bradie. “She's been stoic about it, hasn't complained, but I know that it’s been a worry and I'm glad today this aspect of the situation has concluded.”

A police investigation found there was alcohol in her body at the time of the collision, but it's not known how Bernauer got the alcohol, whether it was from a vendor or not.

Bernauer's family was in court on Monday, but did not wish to comment.

However, in a written statement, the family said it’s the responsibility of the organizers to develop a safety plan and that "following these safety plans avoid the risk of serious injuries and fatalities."

The statement goes on to say, "when several organizers and employers ignore their safety plan - and provincial and federal laws - authorities can not ignore it. They are playing Russian roulette with our children, families and community."

The manager of the Amherstburg Sobey's store, where Emily Bernauer was working at the time of her death, is charged separately. Those charges will proceed and will be spoken to next week.