FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The driver who crashed into a mobile phone store, injuring six people, told police he was huffing from an electronic air duster shortly before Thursday’s crash, according to the criminal complaint filed Tuesday.
Benjamin Ayer, 20, faces 12 counts, including injury by intoxicated use a vehicle, eight counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, and three other counts. Ayer appeared in court Tuesday, where a $300,000 cash bond was set.
First responders were called to the Verizon store on Rolling Meadows Drive shortly after noon Thursday, for a report of a car which crashed into the building.
“BENJAMIN admitted to huffing the “Surf Onn” electronics duster compressed gas cleaner prior to leaving the Culver’s parking lot and operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway. As BENJAMIN was traveling northbound on Rolling Meadows Dr., BENJAMIN lost control of his vehicle and jumped the curb. The vehicle then went straight to the Verizon store and collided with the exterior wall. Inside the store were employees and customers. When the vehicle collided with the wall and pushed the south wall into the building, the wall and counter did collide with the employees and customers inside,” the complaint states.
Six people in the store were injured, including one who was pinned under the vehicle.
“She had a skull fracture avulsion, pelvis fracture, vertebra fracture, fractured bone in right hand, and a scalp hematoma,” according to the complaint.
The other victims suffered a variety of injuries from the incident.
Police also found a pipe and marijuana in Ayer’s car, the complaint states.
Ayer is due back in court May 12.
