Rutland man cited for DUI after crash through furniture store's glass walls
Vermont State Police say troopers on patrol saw the driver crash into Godnick's Grand Furniture in Rutland, then back into a stone wall and the business sign.
RUTLAND, Vt. — A 67-year-old Rutland man has been charged with driving under the influence after troopers saw his vehicle crash through the glass walls of a furniture store in Rutland early Tuesday, Vermont State Police said.
Troopers from the Rutland barracks were on patrol at about 1:35 a.m. when they saw the vehicle go through the glass exterior walls of Godnick's Grand Furniture, police said.
As troopers pulled into the parking lot, the vehicle backed up and crashed again, this time into a stone landscaping wall and the business's sign, according to police.
Police identified the driver as Robert Lavene, 67, of Rutland. Lavene declined to take roadside sobriety tests and was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence, police said. He was taken to the Rutland barracks for processing.
Lavene was cited to appear Nov. 23 in Vermont Superior Court's criminal division in Rutland. Police said he was not held.
The charge is an allegation, and Lavene is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Police did not say whether anyone was hurt or estimate the damage to the store.
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