The front entrance to El Texano Bar & Grill is boarded up after a driver crashed their Mercedes-Benz into the building this morning.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) at the bar in the Van Dorn Plaza shopping center (514 S Van Dorn Street).
The only person assessed for injuries at the time was the car’s driver. Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) spokesperson Raytevia Evans said AFD inspeced the building for structural damage and found it was limited to the glass window, with no compromise to the utilities or structural integrity.
“Units evaluated the driver and confirmed no injuries,” Evans said.
El Texano Bar & Grill could not be reached for comment.
This happened this morning after 11 AM in Alexandria. El Texano Bar and Grill on Van Dorn St. in Van Dorn plaza.
No injuries as known, Hat tip to my stringer in northern Virginia ha ha@STATter911 @alanhenney pic.twitter.com/24VtDlWvoB— I am abnormal and I like others who are abnormal (@shockingguy) August 23, 2023
A 25-year-old Alexandria man was arrested after a terrifying incident early Sunday morning in which he allegedly drove his SUV into multiple vehicles and almost hit bystanders in an Arlandria parking lot.
Mike Vasquez Lopez is being held on a $3,500 bond after being charged with reckless driving, driving while intoxicated and two counts of hit and run property damage.
At around 1:15 a.m., Lopez was filmed allegedly driving erratically through a parking lot in the 4100 block of Mount Vernon Avenue. Police said via scanner that he was “kicked out” of Ricky’s Sports Bar at 4124 Mount Vernon Avenue, and that he then allegedly struck multiple vehicles with a dark blue GMC SUV.
No one was injured in the incident.
While the suspect allegedly drove through the parking lot, people in the lot pelted his SUV with rocks and tried to stop it, according to the video. The suspect then allegedly drove away from the scene shortly before police arrived, and he was arrested near the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and S. Glebe Road.
Lopez was also found guilty in June of driving without a license and failing to yield to pedestrians and is past due on paying the court more than $200 in fines. He is scheduled to appear for his arraignment in court today (Monday).
A driver was hospitalized after she drove her car into Robcyns (3660 King Street) at the Bradlee Shopping Center.
The incident occurred around 3:20 p.m., according to the dispatch.
The driver was taken away on a stretcher and told ALXnow they accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake.
“What’s important is that everyone is okay,” said owner Meghan Herzing. “The lady, the driver, is a customer. I know her, and she was crying and profusely apologizing.”
The crash is not even the first of its kind this year: another driver sent their car through the front window of the nearby Tropical Smoothie Cafe in February.
“Over the last six years this has happened to the Hallmark store, the Shoe Repair store, Starbucks and Tropical Smoothie,” Herzig said. A driver also slammed into the front of the Capital One bank branch at the shopping center a few years ago.
The vehicular mayhem at the Bradlee Shopping Center is in addition to a recent shots fired incident, last year’s fatal stabbing, and safety concerns about loitering teenagers among employees at the center.
James Cullum and Vernon Miles contributed to this story
(Updated 2:50 p.m.) The westbound lanes of Seminary Road between the 4600 and 4700 blocks — near Francies C. Hammond Middle School — have reopened following a two-vehicle car crash that temporarily shut down traffic.
Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) spokesperson Raytevia Evans said the call for an accident went out around 2 p.m.
“AFD units were dispatched, including rescue squad to help get a car door open,” Evans said. Two individuals sustained nonlife-threatening injuries, and both are being transported for additional treatment.”
Evans said police are at the scene of the incident and road closures were in place for the westbound side of Seminary Road.
Notification:: Due to a two-vehicle car crash, the 4600-4700 westbound lanes of Seminary Road are temporarily closed. Non-life-threatening injuries were reported. APD and AFD are on scene. pic.twitter.com/fp5pFRSgSW
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) March 17, 2023
James Cullum and Vernon Miles
Image via Google Maps
A Fairfax County man goes to court this week for allegedly crashing his car into an Alexandria Police cruiser while driving drunk.
The incident occurred at around midnight on Sunday, Feb. 26, near the intersection of S. Washington Street and Green Street. There were two officers in the cruiser at the time of the crash. While the airbags were deployed, no one was injured in the crash, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
The suspect, a 33-year-old Fairfax County resident, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving. He was released that same day on a $5,000 unsecured bond and goes to court for the offenses tomorrow (Wednesday).
There have been 24 people charged with driving while intoxicated this year in Alexandria, compared to 47 during this same time period last year, 24 in the same time period in 2021, 47 in 2020 and 36 in 2019, according to Alexandria’s crime database.
Map via Google Maps
No arrests were made after a stolen car crashed into another car and the front yard of a home in Alexandria’s Potomac West neighborhood early Monday morning, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
Police were dispatched at around 1 a.m. to the 200 block of Tennessee Avenue after a silver Toyota Corolla with Maryland license plates allegedly fled police at high speed and crashed into a parked car and into the front yard of a home, damaging the railing to the front steps. Police determined that the car was reported stolen in Alexandria.
Multiple occupants in the vehicle fled on foot, according to police. Airbags were deployed, and ambulances were not dispatched and there were no reported injuries.
No information was released regarding any other suspects. Police said that the case “may involve” juvenile suspects, but did not provide further details.
Anyone with information on this incident can call the Alexandria Police Department non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Map via Google Maps
The Alexandria Police Department has responded to a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Callahan Drive between King and Duke Streets, resulting in the temporary closure of the road.
The driver of the motorcycle appears to have sustained serious injuries and has been transported to the hospital. APD is currently investigating the incident.
Notification:: There is a temporary street closure on Callahan Drive between King and Duke Streets. This is in response to a single-vehicle motorcycle crash. The driver appeared to sustain serious injuries and was transported to the hospital. APD is investigating this incident. pic.twitter.com/9MJJVJAWfu
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) February 23, 2023
Image via Google Maps
A 23-year-old Lorton man was charged with driving while intoxicated after allegedly crashing into four cars in Old Town.
The crash occurred near the intersection of S. Patrick Street and Gibbon Street at around 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21. Three people suffered minor injuries and went to the hospital, and the driver was released later that day.
The driver failed a field sobriety test, refused medical attention and admitted to police that he drank four Modello beers before the crash, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
“I shouldn’t have driven tonight,” the suspect allegedly told police, according to the search warrant affidavit.
The suspect was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and goes to court on Feb. 2.
Map via Google Maps
A pedestrian suffered minor injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Old Town North early last Sunday night (Dec. 18).
The 56-year-old female victim was transported to the hospital after getting hit at around 5:40 p.m. at the intersection of Pendleton Street and N. Pitt Street.
The driver stayed at the scene and was charged with failure to pay full time attention.
The incident occurred less than a mile from where a pedestrian was struck in the 100 block of N. Henry Street on Wednesday, Dec. 14.
A pedestrian suffered minor injuries after being struck by a vehicle in the 100 block of N. Henry Street in Old Town Wednesday night.
The incident was reported shortly before 10 p.m. and the driver stayed at the scene. No arrests were made.
Police tweeted that the pedestrian was transported to the hospital out of a precaution.
The incident occurred near N. Henry Street (Route 1) and King Street — a heavy traffic one-way street going southbound through Old Town.
Alexandria’s Old Town Historic District is also the most dangerous area for pedestrians in Virginia, according to a September report. Between 2015 and this year, there were more than 60 crashes and 75 injuries throughout Old Town.
Notification: There are temporary road closures in and near the 100 block of North Henry Street. This is in response to a single-vehicle car crash involving a pedestrian. The Pedestrian is believed to have minor injuries but was transported to the hospital as a precaution. pic.twitter.com/LT6eDxJW2d
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) December 15, 2022
