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Alcohol Suspected as Contributing Factor in Liquor Store Crash

by KREX News Room
by Danielle Kreutter

Story Created: Sep 26, 2012 at 10:32 PM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 27, 2012 at 7:26 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- A man crashed his SUV into a local business just after 5 p.m. Wednesday, and now the owners are left to rebuild for the second time.

Meanwhile, the driver, described as a man in his 50s, is facing troubles of his own.

He was taken into custody for suspicion of driving under the influence.

The SUV plowed into Pete's House of Spirits while two employees were inside.

Thankfully, neither was injured.

Although the official cause of the crash is still under investigation, authorities say they do suspect alcohol was involved.

"I saw him behind me. He was swerving just a bit, so I got in the other lane and right when he was on the other side of me he swerved and hit the building," said Rebecca Gerry, who was driving on North Avenue before the crash.

"I wasn't sure if the wall would actually fall in or anything, but looking at it now ... if he had just swerved to the left, we probably would have been hit," said Sarah Wilson, another witness.

The driver was transported to St. Mary's Hospital with unknown injuries.

The owner of the store says they had just started recovering their business after a fire closed them down over a year ago.

"To go over what we just went through with the fire and everything and to go through this again ... rebuilding the clientele was tough and we'll see if we can do it again," said Pete Martinez, owner of Pete's House of Spirits.

Martinez says they need to assess the damage to see just how long it will take before the store can reopen.

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Anonymous said on Friday, Sep 28 at 12:35 AM

"Rebuliding your clientele" lmao. You are right down the street from the sleaziest no-tell motel in the city. Chock full of meth heads and drunks. You ought to outsell every liquor store in town on quarts of malt liquor and thunderbird.

i KNOW said on Thursday, Sep 27 at 9:56 AM

The Irony of this accident is hillarious, I wonder how many accidents they have caused.

SJ said on Thursday, Sep 27 at 9:40 AM

Meanwhile, we're going after smokers and the like. I think it's time to reinstate prohibition!

MROBVIOUS said on Thursday, Sep 27 at 7:45 AM

a drunk running through a liquor store?!?!? HOW ORIGINAL!!

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