AMARILLO, Texas — By 4 p.m. Sunday, a 19-year-old suspect in a Friday crash sending a fuel tanker into ABC 7 studios had not surrendered.
According to the Amarillo Police Department, Elijah Rey Garcia, 19, ran a flashing red light at Southeast 11th Avenue and South Pierce Street. His pickup was struck by a fuel truck, which then crashed into the ABC 7 building, causing major structural damage.
Authorities said Garcia left the scene before officers arrived and later told police he would turn himself in the next day; as of 4 p.m. Sunday, he had not.
According to the APD crash report, officers found multiple open alcoholic beverage containers inside Garcia's pickup. Investigators listed alcohol and disregarding a traffic signal as contributing factors.
Because the offense did not occur in officers' presence and is a misdemeanor, an arrest warrant will be issued, APD said.
Authorities said the damaged section of the building remains off-limits.
According to Potter County arrest records, Garcia was arrested July 15 on charges of driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance, and charged June 21 with discharge of a firearm in certain municipalities.