Driver facing charges after vehicle crashes into Pender school
Chase Jordan
Officials from Pender County Schools are working to repair a section of Burgaw Middle School after an allegedly impaired driver ran a stop sign and crashed into the building Tuesday night.
According to a news release from Pender County Schools, the accident did not compromise power or water and no injuries were reported. Officials said the accident caused extensive damage and compromised the media center of the school at 500 S Wright St.
The Burgaw Police Department received a call about the incident at 11:20 p.m. Tuesday, May 30. When officers arrived, they found a Ford truck partially inside the media center. Pender EMS and fire and the Burgaw Fire Department assisted the officers. The vehicle was removed from the building.
According to a news release from the Burgaw Police Department, Jonathan Richard Franklin, 41, of Burgaw was charged for allegedly operating a motor vehicle while subject to an impairing substance, failure to decrease speed as necessary to avoid a collision and failing to stop at a duly erected stop sign. He didn't sustain injuries after the crash, according to officials.
Franklin was arrested on scene without resistance, processed, and taken in front of a Pender County Magistrate. He was given a $1,000 secured bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for July 25 at the Pender County Courthouse.
The incident is still under investigation. Additional information is not being released at this time.
Pender County Schools is in the process of installing a temporary wall to secure the building. District officials will seek quotes to permanently fix the damage. Currently there is no timeline for the permanent repairs.
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Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com