Police: Wild Ride Ends When Accused Drunken Driver Crashes Into Front Porch

A joyride came to an end when a driver crashed a Chevrolet Astro minivan into the bushes and front porch of a home in the 1200 block of Giel Avenue shortly after midnight on Feb. 24.

But, before the crash, the driver was going so fast that the minivan went airborne for more than 60 feet when it hit the train tracks on Giel, according to the Lakewood Police incident report.

When the minivan landed, it veered to the right and its passenger-side mirror struck a telephone pole.

The van then hit a pair of trees in the 1300 block of Giel.

Next, it went over a tree lawn, struck another tree and finally came to rest after it crashed into the aforementioned bushes and front porch.

The driver then broke out the driver's side window of the van and ran away.

Lakewood Police found a man whose description matches that of the driver — 33-year-old Teddie Abadie of Cleveland — soon thereafter in the 13500 block of Clifton Boulevard. Additionally, Abadie is the listed owner of the minivan, police said.

Abadie was charged with misdemeanor counts of drunken driving, failing to stop after a crash and failing to control his vehicle.

He pleaded not guilty to these charges during his initial court appearance in Lakewood Municipal Court. His next hearing is scheduled for March 5.