ONLY ON ABC-7: El Paso neighbors say driver plowed through wall overnight

East El Paso residents say a drunk driver barreled over the street curb overnight and crashed through an outdoor wall, narrowly missing the homes in the area.

“It sounded like a big explosion,” said Kristal Viesca, who was home with her 1-year-old and 2-year-old son at the time. “Dust was everywhere.”

The crash happened after 1:30 a.m. on the 9100 block of Darlina Drive, north of Viscount Boulevard. Neighbors say the city installed reflectors several years ago, but they did not prevent Sunday morning’s crash.

“This is an area that we really need help,” said Mildred Murillo, who has lived in the area since 2001. She said they need an additional stop sign and speed bumps.

According to witnesses, the driver attempted to get away, but his vehicle was too damaged.

“He tried to leave the scene many times,” said Abel Grajeda, who confronted the driver, who he said appeared intoxicated. “Even though we were trying to help him, he still got in and tried to leave.”

The residents said police ultimately took the driver into custody, but they told ABC-7 it was a very close call.

“My husband just had taken the trash out,” Viesca said. “He could have hit my husband.”

“It could have been so much worse,” Grajeda said.