This story has been corrected to note all of the people injured were in the vehicle being driven, not the parked vehicle.
A reportedly intoxicated 19-year-old man who drove an SUV into a parked vehicle at the end of Thane Road at about 4 a.m. New Year’s Day, seriously injuring three juveniles, was arrested on multiple charges including driving under the influence, assault and reckless endangerment, according to the Juneau Police Department.
Police officers responding to the report of a vehicle collision found a 2007 gold Toyota RAV4 and maroon 2011 Toyota Highlander severely damaged, but unoccupied, according to a JPD information release published Saturday. The RAV4 sustained significant front-end damage while the Highlander sustained rear-end damage.
“Capital City Fire/Rescue arrived on the scene and assisted JPD with a search of the area for potential victims,” the release notes. “None were located. JPD officers later contacted three people (all juveniles) at (Bartlett Regional Hospital) who had sustained serious injuries consistent with a motor vehicle collision.”
All three juveniles were passengers in the RAV4, according to JPD. The driver of the RAV4, Lance Martell, was arrested at a private residence on charges of driving under the influence (a class A misdemeanor), three counts of third-degree assault (a class C felony), three counts of reckless endangerment (a class A misdemeanor) and duty of operator to give information (an unclassified misdemeanor). He was taken to Lemon Creek Correctional Center.
Martell has a felony first appearance and posted bail on Jan. 1, according to the Alaska Court System’s online database. Preliminary hearings are scheduled Jan. 10 and 21.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
