Charges sought for driver who caused Seaside McDonald’s fire

Officials are requesting charges be filed against the person who crashed into a Seaside McDonald’s, as they believe he was under the influence when it happened.

On the morning of June 5th, 2018, Seaside Police and Fire personnel responded to the McDonald’s located at 1516 Canyon Del Rey Blvd for a report of an explosion and structure fire.

Officers arrived to find a vehicle engulfed in flames which had apparently been driven into the building. Fortunately all four occupants escaped from the burning vehicle and no innocent bystanders were injured. The burning car ignited a gas line and the building went up into flames.

All occupants were treated for injuries, including the 34-year-old driver Joseph Roy Wineman who was hospitalized.

Firefighters worked for hours to extinguish the fire but the entire McDonald’s building was destroyed. Wineman is believed to have been driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol as he recklessly traveled through the intersection of Del Monte Blvd and Canyon Del Rey, the Starbucks parking lot, and into the adjacent McDonald’s restaurant.

The case has been forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, recommending Joseph Wineman be prosecuted. Wineman has been arrested in the past for Driving under the Influence. Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the Seaside Police Department.