Suspected DUI Driver Gets Stolen U-Haul Stuck In West Sacramento Gas Station Car Wash, Police Say

WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Officers said they are trying to figure out why a suspected drunk driver thought they could fit a stolen U-Haul truck through a gas station car wash early Thursday morning.

The West Sacramento Fire Department says they were called out to help just before 3 a.m. at the Chevron along West Capitol Avenue, just off of Interstate 80.

First responders quickly found that a U-Haul was lodged inside a car wash.

Officers with the West Sacramento Police Department said 47-year-old Melinda Gonzales stole the U-Haul truck then decided it was dirty and was determined to go through the car wash.

Gonzales was trapped for a short time, but was able to get out once the power to the car wash was cut, police said. No injuries were reported.

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According to management at the gas station, Gonzales blew through a warning sign and then headed right into the car wash. Gonzales rammed through the opening to the car wash and then got stuck inside.

"She wasn't just rolling forward. Oh no, there's burn marks, tire marks on the ground over there. I think the soap slowed her down," said Mike Ram, who helped pull the U-Haul out.

After realizing she was trapped, Gonzales drove forward and backward repeatedly trying to get out, police said. Management said they told her multiple times to stop before they turned off the power.

Almost all the machinery inside the car wash appears to have been damaged.

Police later said they had arrested Gonzales under suspicion of DUI and for allegedly stealing the U-Haul.

In:
• West Sacramento News