MEMPHIS, Tenn — “The amount of noise and the amount of car parts, you would think somebody was injured,” Karen Williams said.
No one was hurt, but police said Eric Garcia was charged with driving drunk and putting his daughter’s life in danger on Saturday.
Neighbors said Garcia jumped a curb, hit a tree stump, plowed through a rose bush and slammed into a car in front of a house on Elliston Road.
“That’s the only thing that stopped him,” Williams, who lives next to the crash site, said.
People in the neighborhood told WREG Garcia got out of his car after the crash and ran away with his 3-year-old child in the back seat of the vehicle.
“That amazed me that anybody would abandon a child,” Williams said. “The first thing in my mind would be to check to make sure the child was okay.”
Police caught up to Garcia and reported his eyes were watery and that he could barely stand up on his own.
Officers claimed the found an empty box of beer in the back of the car and an open bottle of beer in the front seat.
Garcia’s blood alcohol level was at .08, according to law enforcement.
“Was it worth it? I would ask him was it really worth it,” Williams said.
With Garcia out of jail, WREG went by his home with cameras to ask questions of our own.
No one was home, but neighbors nearby said this is something that should never happen.
“There is no excuse for anyone who is drinking to get behind the wheel in this town,” Williams explained.
WREG learned DCS is involved to check on the well-being of the child.
Garcia is due back in court on August 14.