AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — A hit-and-run crash at 12:30 a.m. Friday sent a fuel truck into the ABC 7 studios, prompting an investigation by the Amarillo Police Department.
According to the police report, a 19-year-old driving a Dodge Ram 2500 ran a flashing red light at Southeast 11th Avenue and South Pierce Street, colliding with a Kenworth fuel truck traveling south. The force of the impact caused the fuel truck to strike the ABC 7 building.
Multiple open containers of alcohol were discovered inside the pickup, and investigators are examining alcohol use and disregarding traffic signals as contributing factors to the crash.
While authorities have identified the driver, his name will not be released until an arrest has been made. Following the incident, the driver contacted police and stated he would turn himself in the next day.
Sgt. Carla Burr from the Amarillo Police Department noted that since the offense did not occur in the officers' presence, an arrest warrant would need to be issued. “All Texas peace officers can use discretion in a lot of circumstances,” she said.
The 59-year-old driver of the fuel truck was unharmed. The commercial vehicle was carrying flammable liquids at the time of the crash, and the collision resulted in structural damage to the ABC 7 studios.
Investigation into the incident is ongoing, with lane closures reported in the area.