Suspected drunk driver crashes into Palm Harbor restaurant
PALM HARBOR (FOX 13) - Pinellas County deputies arrested an alleged drunk driver who crashed into the Thirsty Marlin restaurant in Palm Harbor.
The incident happened shortly before 8 p.m. Friday outside the restaurant on Florida Avenue.
According to investigators, 59-year-old Duane Wagner offered to move a friend's vehicle out of its parking space because she was having trouble backing it out.
Wagner got in the vehicle and quickly accelerated in reverse, crashing into a power pole. Deputies said he then put the car in drive and accelerated again. Wagner struck his friend, a wooden fence and four customers inside the restaurant.
Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the incident.
When deputies arrived, they suspected Wagner was under the influence of alcohol. Breath tests revealed he had a BAC of .10.
According to records, Wagner already has three prior DUI arrests. In addition, his driver's license has been permanently revoked since 2009.