Drunk Driver Crashes into Historic Orange Plaza Fountain, Sparking Safety Concerns

Violent Crash at Orange Plaza

• 💥 Surveillance video captured a suspected drunk driver crashing into the historic Plaza Park in Orange early Sunday morning.
• 🚗 The driver was speeding, failed to negotiate the turn at Orange Circle, and plowed through bushes, benches, and barriers before hitting the historic fountain.
• ⚠️ Witnesses reported that a group of men had just left the area where the car landed mangled.

Driver Arrested and History of Incidents

• 🚨 The driver survived the crash and was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
• ⚖️ A police spokesman stated the suspect was on DUI probation at the time of the incident and had prior convictions.
• 📈 This is not the first crash at the historic fountain, with four collisions recorded in the last two years.

Past Collisions and Safety Enhancements

• 💥 In March 2023, a carjacking suspect fleeing officers slammed into the fountain, causing their vehicle to flip.
• 🔥 In August 2023, a man drove his SUV into a tree near the fountain and was rescued from the burning vehicle.
• 🚧 After repairs and safety enhancements, the fountain reopened in April 2024, but another crash occurred just seven months later.
• 🚗 In late November 2024, an 18-year-old speeding on a rainy night hit the fountain directly.

Community Calls for Change

• 🗣️ Some residents are demanding changes to ensure public safety and suggest transforming the historic Orange Plaza into a pedestrian-only space.
• 💬 One resident recalled the positive experience during COVID when the area was shut down, enjoying outdoor seating.
• 🚫 The sentiment is that if people choose to drink, they should not drive, emphasizing the simplicity of the message.