EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Edinburg police say a man was drunk when he drove his truck in the Hidalgo County Courthouse and slammed into the air conditioning system that cools the building.
Hidalgo County crews worked through the holiday weekend to repair the damages done to the A/C unit.
County officials have announced it will be business as usual and the courthouse will run its normal business hours on Monday.
“We appreciate the hard work by Hidalgo County employees on a holiday weekend to ensure normal courthouse operations on Monday,” Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez says.
Residents who are scheduled to appear at the courthouse for jury duty should report on Monday as directed, Hidalgo County District Clerk Laura Hinojosa says.
Authorities say a white Ford F-150 drove east through an iron gate and then struck a second fence surrounding the air conditioning unit located at the west side of the courthouse.
Police were called to the courthouse, located near West University Drive and North 10th Avenue, at 7:30 a.m. regarding an accident.
Officials say the 21-year-old driver tried to run from the accident scene, but was held down by a citizen.
Severe damage was done to the gate, fence, concrete pillar and the truck.
The unidentified driver was taken into custody on charges of driving while intoxicated and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Edinburg Police Chief Jaime Ayala offered his thanks to the citizen who helped detain the suspected drunk driver.
