HOBE SOUND, Fla. — A driver crashed into a large pipe at the South Martin Regional Utility's North Water Treatment Plant and fled the scene, leaving many residents without water service or adequate water pressure on Wednesday, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office (MCSO).
“There was water going over the fence, going under it, all over the sidewalk–it's probably drenched and there was a big pool of water in the middle of the road,” said Hobe Sound resident Mia Coady.
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MCSO says it has found the driver who crashed his car into the water treatment plant at around 9 p.m. and ran away from the area. It says the crash left about 7,000 residents without water service or adequate water pressure.
MCSO says Eliuvar Garza, 24, of Stuart, was speeding when he blew through a stop sign at Osprey Street and Wren Avenue. He then allegedly went threw a fence at the water treatment plant, hit a palm tree and broke it in half, then landed on top of a water pipe.
Coady says her brother rushed to the scene to help the driver before Garza took off.
“He was screaming help, help, help and as I was over here I saw the guy jump the fence and book it—he just was running,” said Coady.
Deputies say Garza was later found when a family member brought him to the hospital for his injuries.
“He was disoriented, he did reek of alcohol, and told our deputies that he had drank two corona beers,” said Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek.
The sheriff added that Garza has multiple speeding tickets and has never had a driver’s license.
"Had he followed the law and had a driver's license or had not driven, because of not having a driver's license, we would not have had 7,000 people without water," explained Budensiek. "We would not have had a pretty catastrophic crash like we had last night.”
Garza has been cited with two misdemeanors and two civil citations and will have to appear in court. The sheriff says he could face jail time.
SMRU Director Matt Hammond says water utility crews quickly responded and restored water services within two hours.
“The customers of South Martin Regional Utility will not be footing the bill for this. These types of accidents happen and they’re submitted as a claim to insurance companies,” said Hammond.
SMRU has since issued a boil water notice for customers who experienced a water shortage after the crash. Hammond says that will likely remain in effect through the weekend. To find out if you fall within the affected area click here.
Meanwhile, Garza faces numerous charges, including leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, driving without a license, failure to use due care, and failure to stop at a stop sign, according to MSCO.
