G-PZYQGERCM4

Well-known Valley mixologist Bobby Kramer killed in wrong-way crash

Horrible news: Bobby Kramer, beverage director at The Brickyard Downtown and The Hidden House in downtown Chandler, was killed early Wednesday by a wrong-way driver on I-10 near Chandler Boulevard.

Police say Kramer was traveling in the westbound lane at 12:30 a.m. when his vehicle was struck by a silver sedan being driven the wrong direction by a 25-year-old female suspected of being impaired.

Police say Kramer was dead at the scene, while the other driver suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Kramer, who previously worked at Virtu in Scottsdale and Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails in Phoenix, was one of the Valley’s best-known mixologists.

The Arcadia native and U.S. military veteran served as president of the Phoenix chapter of the U.S. Bartenders Guild.

The Brickyard, a small but acclaimed restaurant and bar Kramer helped launch in 2016, announced it is closed until further notice.

Justin Evans, owner of The Sleepy Whale in downtown Chandler, has set up a Facebook fundraiser page for Kramer’s wife, Lindsey, and young son, Arthur. You can donate here.