A Chevrolet plowed into the Budget Inn Saturday night, destroying a drink machine and one of the motel’s rooms, police authorities said.
The wreck reportedly inflicted $20,000 in damage to the motel in an incident that is still being investigated as the driver fled from the scene, according to initial reports from the Clinton Police Department.
An incident that could have been a more devastating disaster was averted as the room was unoccupied at the time, the motel manager said.
The wreck occurred at 11:22 p.m. Saturday at the motel, located at 507 Southeast Blvd., when a 2007 Cheverolet Pacifica backed into the business, reports state.
According to reports from Officer Tyler Williams, he received a call that the vehicle drove “into one of the rooms of the motel causing structural damage.”
A witness said the vehicle damaged a drink machine and collapsed the front wall of the room. The Pacifica then drove away prior to officers arriving on the scene. The vehicle was located just a few minutes after the initial call was dispatched, found near the Budget Inn. The driver was gone, reports state.
The incident is being investigated further.