A suspected inebriated driver crashed into a smoke shop in Los Lunas, New Mexico, that is known as the Otero’s 66 Service station that dates to 1923.
A story in the Valencia County News-Bulletin reports Brandon Padilla, 26, of Los Lunas was traveling west on Main Street when he ran a red light at the New Mexico Highway 314 intersection, drove over the curb and crashed into the small building that now houses the Route 66 Smoke Shop.
Los Lunas police officer Nikki Baca, who first arrived at the scene, wrestled to Padilla to the ground after after he refused her orders to get on the ground. More details:
Padilla is being charged with DWI (his second offence), criminal damage (a felony), resisting or evading a law enforcement officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and reckless driving.
Baca said while she was struggling with Padilla, a syringe needle fell off of him as she trying to apprehend him.
“Thankfully no one was injured in the business and there were no pedestrians nearby,” Baca said. “When we arrived, there was definitely signs of impairment. He had a revoked driver’s license and there was also a warrant out for his arrest.”
A code enforcement officer and fire marshal checked the building’s structural integrity before removing the vehicle. The building was remodeled just before Hisham Salameh moved in his Route 66 Smoke Shop operation just two months ago. Salameh said his brother would repair the damage.
Otero’s 66 Service was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. It was operating when Route 66 ran through Los Lunas from 1926 to 1937. According to the National Register nomination form, it was a Phillips 66 station. The building operated as a tire shop as recently as 2007.
(Image of Otero’s Service, aka Sam’s Tires, circa 2005 via National Park Service)