Driver charged with DWI after allegedly crashing into Denver church

DENVER, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A driver has been charged after allegedly crashing into a church in Denver while intoxicated on Friday night, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Around 6:30 p.m. on August 15, Denver firefighters responded to reports of a crash, saying the vehicle had struck the Bethel United Methodist Church building.

When firefighters arrived, crews found significant damage to the building, a light pole had been struck, and power lines were down across the roadway.

Denver Fire Department personnel treated the driver, identified as 49-year-old Alejandro Eligerio Ramirez, for minor injuries until Lincoln County EMS arrived and secured the utilities to the building. Energy United personnel and a county building inspector were also called to the scene.

Crews worked with Hampton’s Wrecker Service, the Church and the building inspector to remove the vehicle from the building. After the car was removed, crews worked to stabilize the structure. The scene cleared around 1 a.m.

Highway Patrol said Ramirez was driving west on Campground Road when he crossed the center line, drove off the left side of the road and hit a utility pole before crashing into the church. Investigators believe impairment and reckless driving were factors in the collision.

Ramirez was booked into the Lincoln County Detention Center under a $1,000 bond for driving while impaired, driving while license revoked and careless and reckless driving.