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6/10/2025— Two drivers were cited for driving under the influence and other offenses following a three-vehicle crash reported on the evening of June 1, 2025, outside Han Nam Supermarket in Koblerville.
According to Department of Public Safety Assistant Chief of Police and Acting Public Information Officer Simon Manacop, the crash occurred at approximately 8:21 pm and involved a silver Toyota Highlander, a white Toyota 4Runner, and a gray Toyota Corolla. Officers arrived on the scene to find extensive damage to both the Highlander and the 4Runner, which had slammed into the parked Corolla before crashing into the front wall and glass of the store.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the Highlander, which was traveling southbound, veered into the northbound lane directly in front of Han Nam Supermarket and collided head-on with the 4Runner. The impact pushed the 4Runner into the unoccupied, parked Corolla, which in turn struck the building.
Both drivers sustained injuries and were transported to the Commonwealth Health Center for treatment. They were both later found to be intoxicated and subsequently cited for DUI and other violations.
Manacop said the operator of the Highlander was found to be at fault for the crash. He was cited for failure to maintain right of way, failure to use a seatbelt, having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle, reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, and refusal to submit to a blood draw.
The operator of the 4Runner, meanwhile, was cited for failure to use a seatbelt, having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle, reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, and refusal to submit to a blood draw.
To address public speculation, Manacop confirmed that the operator of the Highlander is an officer with the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
A witness, Roberto Santos, who helped extract one of the victims from one of the vehicles, said the man was unconscious and bleeding from the head at the time. “The ambulance arrived soon after they were called, and DPS officers came shortly after that,” he said.
Another bystander, whose car was parked near the crash site and wanted to remain anonymous, described the terrifying moment when the collision occurred just minutes after her partner entered their vehicle. “I thought I was going to die,” she said. “I was inside the car and heard a loud explosion—one bang after another. When I looked up, the 4Runner had crashed into a parked car right in front of us.”
Police have not released the names of the drivers as the investigation continues. No other injuries were reported, and it is unclear at this time if additional charges will be filed.
Story Mark Rabago
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