Suspected DUI Driver Crashes Into Store, Tries To Buy Booze Inside: PD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A man was believed to be driving under the influence of alcohol Wednesday when he crashed his car into a building, police said.

Traffic officers with the Santa Rosa Police Department were dispatched shortly after 2:30 p.m. Wednesday to reports that a Toyota pickup truck collided with the building that houses Ray's Food Center and Steve O's Meat & Deli near the corner of Dutton Avenue and Hearn Avenue in the Roseland area of Santa Rosa.

The Santa Rosa Fire Department and emergency medical personnel also responded.

The investigation indicated the driver, later identified as Jesus Carreno-Ortiz, 34, of Santa Rosa, was traveling southbound on Dutton and did not slow down as he entered the business's parking lot, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Josh Medieros said.

After he crashed into the southeast corner of the business, he got out of his pickup truck and went inside the business where it is alleged he tried to buy alcohol.

According to police, Carreno-Ortiz had a preliminary blood alcohol content of 0.32.

Carreno-Ortiz was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he was treated for significant injuries resulting from the collision, Medeiros said.

He was arrested on suspicion of DUI, DUI with a BAC of 0.08 or greater, driving on a suspended license and contempt of court/disobeying a court order.

Business 'Hit Hard'

Store owner Annu Saggu was grateful there were no other injuries.

"We were hit pretty hard, there is a solid hole there," Saggu told Patch. "Usually there are people standing there smoking or resting but luckily no one was there yesterday when he hit the store."

Some 60 champagne and wine bottles were damaged in the crash, she said. There was also damage to a wall, the air conditioner compressor, a pillar, a gate and a freezer.

Additionally, many customers who were inside the deli at the time of the crash got scared and left, she said, leaving about 75 sandwiches that were not sold. So although the business was hit hard in more than one way, she remained grateful there were no other injuries.

"We had to throw out a lot, but luckily no one was hit and no one was hurt."