A 53-year-old man crashed into the Sample Gates on Thursday evening while driving with a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit, IU Police Department Capt. Craig Munroe said.
IUPD officers estimated the driver, David Aldridge, caused about $10,000 to $25,000 in damage to the Sample Gates, the truck he was driving and other surrounding property.
Munroe said an IU custodian suffered minor injuries after stepping out in front of the truck in an attempt to stop it. It is unclear whether the custodian was taken to the hospital.
Aldridge turned right at the intersection of East Kirkwood Avenue and South Indiana Avenue, Munroe said, leading him up onto the pedestrian walkway and through the main arch of the Sample Gates.
Aldridge then attempted to drive through the smaller, northern arch of the gates, but his truck could not clear the arch. He also tried to drive through the gates’ small southern arch.
He then drove through Dunn’s Woods before heading to the north side of Franklin Hall. A bystander told IUPD officers they thought the truck hit a tree while in the woods.
The truck took out a handrail as it traveled down an embankment leading Aldridge to the loading dock area behind Franklin Hall, Munroe said.
IUPD officers stopped Alridge at South Indiana Avenue and 17th Street. He was booked into the Monroe County Correctional Center on Thursday.
