SOURCES: Crash That Destroyed San Angelo's Downtown Library Started with a Bar Fight

 

SAN ANGELO, TX – Wednesday's crash that sent a Tesla into the downtown library started with a fight at a local bar, confirmed by multiple sources.

As previously reported, on Nov. 18, officers with the San Angelo Police Department were dispatched to the Stephans Central Library in downtown San Angelo for the report of a crash involving two vehicles. One of the vehicles, a brand new Tesla, crashed into the side of the building.

New information revealed by multiple sources confirmed that this crash stemmed from an incident that occurred earlier that night at a local bar. Prior to the crash, which occurred at around 10:45 p.m., a patron was playing pool at Shenanigans sports bar.

After bartenders felt that the man had enough to drink, they cut him off from buying alcohol. They permitted him to stay until he became "handsy" with a waitress.

"This is when we made the decision to ask him to leave the property," said the owner of Shenanigans Derrick Hoffman.

Shenanigans Sports Bar

Shenanigans Sports Bar (LIVE! Photo/Matt Trammell) 

But before the workers could throw the drunk patron out of the bar, a group of men stood up for the waitress.

"I appreciate what they were trying to do that but they just made it worse," said Hoffman. "I don't have cameras outside but they went out there and did what they did. The cops were called in because of the situation."

The San Angelo Police have confirmed with San Angelo LIVE! that this incident is directly related.

"On Nov. 17 at around 10:45 p.m. Officers were dispatched to 30 W. Beauregard in reference to an Assault. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim and learned that the suspect, later identified as Andrew Moreno, 40, had used his vehicle to strike the victim's vehicle at the listed location. The victim's vehicle then struck a portion of the "Stephen's Central Library" causing damage to it. Andrew then crashed his vehicle into a tree/metal pole and then fled the scene on foot. Officers were able to locate Andrew at a later point in time and SAPD's Criminal Investigations Division arrived on the scene to assist. Andrew was transported to Shannon Medical Center for non-incapacitating injuries and charges are pending at this time," stated San Angelo's Public Information Officer Richard Espinoza in a release. "I can confirm that that incident stemmed from an altercation (unknown if verbal or physical) from Shenanigans."

Tesla Crashed Into the Stephans Central Library

Tesla Crashed Into the Stephans Central Library (LIVE! Photo/Matt Trammell)

Another witness, who has chosen to be anonymous, claims he was directly involved with the situation.

"Once we went outside that dude pulled out a knife so we were fighting for our lives," said the man. "As soon as it was over we went inside and called the police."

After police checked out the scene, the man claimed that the group stayed at the bar together "to make sure the guy wasn't waiting outside." One member of the group, a man driving a $180,000 Tesla, that was purchased just weeks ago, decided to leave the bar.

The anonymous witness then claimed that as the Tesla left the scene, it was followed by a silver Crown Victoria. The two drove down Sherwood Way until it turned into Beauregard Avenue. This is when the chaos began. 

As the two entered downtown, the Crown Vic began hitting the Tesla from behind at red stoplights. Once they got to the intersection of Beauregard and Irving, the Tesla attempted to make a right turn. During the turn the Crown Vic smashed into the back of the Tesla, sending it into the Fiberglass Sheep "Paige Turner" and into the front door of the library.

Car Driven by Andrew Moreno

Car Driven by Andrew Moreno (LIVE! Photo/Matt Trammell)

After the initial crash, the Crown Vic attempted to flee and crashed into a pole. He then got out of the vehicle and ran. Witnesses who saw the crash told San Angelo LIVE! that the man got of the car and talked to them before running. "He had lots of tattoos and a cut over his eye," said the witnesses.

Police later caught the man, Andrew Moreno 40, of San Angelo, and took him to Shannon Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The condition of the man in the Tesla is still unknown.

Here is a video of the scene:

 

No charges have been filed against Andrew Moreno at this time.

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