PALM HARBOR, Fla. - Pinellas County sheriff's deputies arrested a man accused of driving under the influence and crashing his car into an outdoor tiki bar during a festival in downtown Palm Harbor.
Two people were injured in the Friday night crash at Thirsty Marlin Grill and Bar at 1023 Florida Ave. during the 10th annual Palm Harbor Citrus Festival.
Duane Wagner, 59, of Dunedin is charged with one count of DUI and one count of driving while having his license permanently revoked. Wagner has two prior DUI convictions in 1993 and 2009, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said a 55-year-old woman had parked her 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the alleyway on the north side of the restaurant, just west of 11 Street. The woman was trying to leave and was having trouble backing out the car. Wagner then offered to move the car for the woman.
When Wagner got into the car, he put it in reverse and hit a Duke Energy power pole. Deputies said he then put the car in drive and hit the woman, throwing her up onto the hood of the car.
Wagner continued to drive through a 6-foot wooden fence on the north side of the Thirsty Marlin Grill and Bar.
The car struck four people at the outdoor establishment.
Wagner claimed he got the brake pedal and accelerator mixed up, which caused him to crash. Deputies said Wagner showed signs of impairment and "performed poorly" on field sobriety tests.
Deputies arrested Wagner and took him to the Pinellas County Jail.
First responders took the woman to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Another 71-year-old woman received medical treatment at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing.
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