Eugene police arrest DUII driver after repeatedly crashing into bank building on Willamette Street

Eugene, OR – Eugene police arrested a 29-year-old man after he repeatedly crashed a Subaru into a bank building on Willamette Street and then left the scene on foot.

Officers were dispatched to US Bank at 800 Willamette Street at about 10:02 a.m. Sept. 24 after receiving a report that a Subaru was repeatedly running into the building.

When officers arrived, they found the Subaru in a parking stall near the bank’s front entrance. The building had a large hole in its cinder block siding, with rubble and debris scattered across the sidewalk. The vehicle had heavy front-end damage, while its front bumper and grill were hanging down. Branches from bushes were also stuck in the rear bumper.

A witness told officers the driver was inside a neighboring restaurant. Officers located Desta Jahniwind Ellsworth, 29, of Eugene, sitting in a booth.

Ellsworth told officers his accelerator had become stuck. He also admitted he reversed the vehicle after hitting the building, before saying the accelerator became stuck again.

Ellsworth agreed to field sobriety tests and was determined to be under the influence. A breathalyzer registered 0% blood alcohol content. A drug recognition expert believed Ellsworth was under the influence of a stimulant, and blood and urine samples were collected for testing.

Ellsworth was lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges of felony DUII, hit and run and felony driving while revoked.