A drunken driver crashed into a pedestrian crossing Friday night in the 2900 block of Main Avenue, according to the Durango Police Department.
The crash occurred at 11:48 p.m., moments before police received a call about a drunken driver on Main Avenue, said DPD Cmdr. Deck Shaline.
The driver was identified as 26-year-old Durango resident Sabrina Bier, who was reportedly weaving in and out of traffic while driving south on Main Avenue. Bier swerved and hit the center median, which caused her 2006 Ford Escape to flip and come to rest blocking both southbound lanes of traffic, Shaline said.
The crash knocked over a pole on the south side of the median, which had a walk sign attached to it.
The pedestrian crossing was built by the Colorado Department of Transportation in August to prevent pedestrians from jaywalking across Main Avenue in north Durango.
“We can put in every safety measure possible along our highways and roadways, but once we start dealing with driver behavior like distracted driving or driving under the influence, everything gets thrown out the window,” said CDOT spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes.
Bier suffered a back abrasion, but she refused medical attention. Officers conducted a sobriety and breath test and found she was nearly three times over the legal 0.08 driving limit, Shaline said.
Bier was taken into custody for driving under the influence. Shaline said DPD does not have any information on the cost of damage to the pedestrian crossing.
“This case is still somewhat in its infancy, and sometimes all the reports aren't in as far as damage values, and that's the case right now,” he said.
Shaline noted there was severe damage to the front driver’s side of the vehicle from where it hit the median. He said no other vehicles were involved in the crash, and no pedestrians were harmed.
Traffic was impacted for a little over an hour until first responders were able to clear the scene by 1:04 a.m. Saturday.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
