The Knoxville man who crashed a Volkswagen Beetle into Dunkin’ Donuts on Wednesday told Oak Ridge police he had consumed several mixed liquor drinks as well as beer before driving, according to court records.
Matthew Chance Ketron, 32, had a strong odor like that of an alcoholic beverage “coming from his person,” as well as glassy bloodshot eyes, Oak Ridge Police Department Officer John Torrence said in arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court. Ketron’s speech was also slow and staggered, Torrence said.
Ketron told police that he had been on his way to a staff meeting at Jet’s Pizza, according to the warrants. Jet’s is located next to Dunkin’ Donuts in a small shopping center on Oak Ridge Turnpike.
But when he arrived, Ketron said, there was no meeting, so he attempted to leave, the warrants said. However, when he rounded the east side of the building, Ketron said he lost control of his yellow 2000 VW Beetle and crashed into the building.
Two victims were treated by medical crews for minor injuries from the incident, which was reported at about 2:47 p.m. Wednesday, the warrants said. Most of the Beetle was inside of Dunkin’ Donuts, in the dining area.
“Ketron’s decision to drive while intoxicated resulted in him crashing into the building, and placing the two victims, Julie Loguillo and Robert Rosado, in imminent danger,” Torrence wrote.
Ketron was the driver and only occupant of the Beetle, and he received medical treatment for a possible head injury at the scene, the warrants said.
Ketron was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment, a felony charge, and one count of driving under the influence (first offense), a misdemeanor.
Ketron did not perform standardized field sobriety tests because he had a possible head injury, Torrence said. He was taken to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, where he agreed to give blood for testing, and then to the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton, where he remained jailed on Thursday evening. His bond has been set at $25,000.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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