Police: DUI driver slams in to Salinas school

Salinas Police say a drunk driver slammed into Roosevelt Elementary School early Sunday morning after he had already rear-ended another car and taken off.

The accident happened about 1:00a.m. on Capitol Street.

Officers and emergency personnel found a 2015 Mustang which had jumped the curb, went through the hedges and playground fence before hitting one of the buildings.

Officers say the car then struck another fence and narrowly missed the gas main to the school.

The Mustang was totaled and the driver, 21-year-old Andretty Ortiz, was unresponsive but breathing.

Salinas Fire had to cut open the car to get Ortiz out. He was transported to the trauma center at Natividad Medical Center with a head injury and is in critical condition.

Officers say just moments before this accident, Ortiz was involved in another crash at Alisal and Lincoln Streets where he rear-ended a vehicle and took off.

Ortiz was driving on a suspended license and has a prior conviction for driving under the influence. Police say the smell of alcohol was strong at this accident scene and believe Ortiz was DUI. Police are also recommending hit and run, and driving on a suspended license charges.

Initial damage cost estimates by the district are $100,000.