Friday, February 6, 2009

Dry Cleaning and Boats Don't Mix


Posted: 10:35 AM Jan 30, 2009
Last Updated: 10:35 AM Jan 30, 2009

Defuniak Springs P.D. is investigating a crash that happened on Thursday, when a boat, that was in-tow un-hitched from the trailer of a truck at an intersection, and crashed into Miracle Cleaners on 370 U.S. Highway 90 East.

A 1986 Bayliner boat and trailer, being toed by a 2007 Ford Truck, separated from the towing hitch as it came through the intersection of State Road 83N, and collided with the storefront of Miracle Cleaners.

Several people were outside the business when the boat and trailer crashed into the stone support near the front door. An adult and child had to quickly move out of the way in order to avoid being injured from the collision.

The crash damaged the front glass, stone support, front door, and water outlet near the front door which required water to Miracle Cleaners be turned off for a couple of hours for repairs. Damage caused temporary interruption to operations and customers had to be re-routed through a side door. Damage to the trailer made it inoperable. The truck sustained damage to the rear passenger’s tail light whenever the boat jumped off of the hitch. The boat and trailer had to be removed by a tow truck. Miracle Cleaners resumed normal operations shortly after removing the boat and trailer, and will be open for business.

The driver of the truck, 46-year-old Victor Perez, advised that he had just purchased the boat and trailer from someone and did not have safety chains attached.

No other occupants were in the vehicle and no one was injured.

Victor Perez was found at fault in the accident and issued a traffic citation for violation of towing requirements by not having safety chains. Safety chains most likely would have prevented damage to other property in this incident.

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