A 42-year-old Alexandria man was arrested for a hit and run and driving under the influence after allegedly smashing his Land Rover into a telephone pole in the West End on Monday, March 9.
At around 11:30 p.m., an Alexandria Police officer was on mobile patrol when he reported finding vehicle debris and a snapped telephone pole in the area of Lincolnia Road and Quantrell Avenue.
The officer then heard “what sounded a lot like an explosion and saw what appeared to be a large flash of light from the area of Van Dorn/Duke Street intersection,” according to a police search warrant affidavit. “The pole was shattered at the base and laying parallel to the roadway, partially on the sidewalk. There was extensive vehicle debris to include a portion of the front fender.”
The officer reportedly got into his cruiser and was flagged down by staff from BMW of Alexandria, who reported that the power went out after a loud banging sound. The officer was then told over the radio that more debris was found at Stevenson Avenue and South Whiting Street.
A white Land Rover with front damage and flat passenger-side tires was soon located parked at the 7-Eleven at 331 S. Whiting Street.
Police arrested Christian Belandres at the 7-Eleven after he took a preliminary breath test police said registered a 0.192 reading, which is 2.4 times the legal limit. Belandres declined to perform a standard field sobriety test, according to police.
A witness also reportedly tried to pull Belandres out of the car at a Sunoco gas station at 190 S. Whiting Street.
“The witness attempted to pull Mr. Belandres from the vehicle to check on him, telling him that he was ‘not fit to drive,’ before Mr. Belandres and the Land Rover pulled away before coming to a stop at 331 S. Whiting,” noted the affidavit.