Caledonia Argus

Man arrested for driving into former high school

Posted: 11/26/02

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

Construction at the old middle/high school experienced a setback Sunday evening after a vehicle struck the doors to the gymnasium on the north side of the building, causing extensive damage. Caledonia Police apprehended a suspect in connection with the incident.

Witnesses reported that around 10 p.m. a vehicle had driven onto the curb on Main Street adjacent to the school, squared up with the doors, then proceeded to ram the building. The vehicle left the scene traveling west on the wrong side of the road down Main Street, finally coming to a stop in a ditch east of the Gjere Avenue townhomes.

The suspect was arrested on charges of DWI test refusal, damage to property, and leaving the scene of an accident. The vehicle, a Buick Park Avenue with North Dakota plates, sustained moderate damage to the front end. Officer Logan of Caledonia Police made the arrest. Chief St. Mary and Officer Dienger transported the suspect to detox in Rochester, and the vehicle was towed to Caledonia Police Headquarters.

Caledonia Police noted that the suspect was combative throughout the arrest procedures, ìrefused to cooperate or answer any questions,î and was ìextremely impaired.î

Ken Cote' of Kraus-Anderson, the firm in charge of construction at the old middle/high school, said that the school doors damaged in the accident would be repaired by the end of the year.

The suspect was to appear in court Tuesday.

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