DUII damages gas station sign and nearby fire hydrant

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --Bend police say a driver was changed with driving under the influnce Wednesday night after crashing in front of an ARCO gas station in Bend. The incident occurred just before 9 p.m. at the intersection of Greenwood Avenue and Northeast Third Street.

According to Bend police, the driver was traveling west on Greenwood and attempted to turn onto Northeast Third Street. The vehicle struck a retaining wall in front of the ARCO station, then. crashed into the price sign. After that, they put the vehicle into reverse and hit a nearby fire hydrant.

The force of the vehicle reversing broke the fire hydrant off its base. When Bend police officers arrived at the scene, they found the driver and several witnesses still in the intersection of Greenwood and 3rd.

Bend police noted that they prioritize enforcement of impaired driving cases. Officer Cindy Ksenzulak of the Bend Police Department choosing to take a cab instead of driving drunk, could have prevented this.

"There are plenty of ride shares that are available at all times during the day and night, along with taxi cabs to get home safe," Ksenzulak said. "If you are driving while impaired, you pose a threat to the community."

The driver was taken into custody. He was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, reckless driving and DUII.