2008 Woodie Awards
Genoa Pizza reopens after car hits building
Jerica Harvey
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: News
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According to police reports, Alexander Wimer was identified as the driver and was issued citations for hit and run, reckless driving and failure to stop at a stop sign. He received approximately $550 in total citations.
Miguel Najera, owner of Genoa Pizza, 113 E. Main St., said he had just returned home when police notified him.
"I didn't think the damage was that bad when [police] called me," he said. "When I came in, I was very surprised."
The police reports said Officer Shawn Reif responded to the accident at 4:40 a.m. He noticed the blue Chevrolet Astro minivan went partially through the restaurant's brick wall, glass was scattered throughout the front entrance, a sink and additional plumbing were ripped from walls, and damage from objects thrown about from impact of the accident.
Reports said Wimer fled the scene before Reif responded. Reif also found blood drippings in and outside of the car along with two unloaded shotguns.
Another observing officer believed the accident had occurred long before they arrived at the scene, according to the report.
Wimer was later found at Lakeland Emergency Room in Elkhorn being treated for injuries that occurred from the accident.
According to reports, Wimer told police he was at a friend's house until 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. playing Wii. He was driving home when he tried to stop on Main Street., but his brakes failed. His vehicle went into oncoming traffic, almost hit another car and crashed into Genoa Pizza. He told police he tried to turn the car, but could not get any traction due to snow on the ground.
After the accident, Wimer told police he went to his friend's place to sleep because he was scared and bleeding. He said he planned on calling the police department in the morning but woke up in pain and went to the hospital. Police reports said he had not been drinking and his injuries did not include any broken bones.
Najera said renovations to the Genoa Pizza building began Dec. 10 and the restaurant reopened Dec. 26 looking as it did before the accident.
He said business hasn't been the same since the reopening.
"It dropped a lot," Najera said. "The last couple of weeks have been slow. We were really busy right before the accident …We'll get it back."
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