Man Crashing Into South Austin Clinic Charged With DWI

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — The Austin man who crashed his car into a a health center on the city's southeast side on Monday was charged with driving while intoxicated, according to a published report.

Police said Jeremy Cartwright, 42, drove into an exterior wall at the Central Health Southeast Health and Wellness Center, 2901 Montopolis Dr., at around 1:30 a.m. on Monday. Referencing court documents on Tuesday, the Austin American-Statesman reported Cartwright refused sobriety tests before being arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated — at least his third such offense.

The car crashed into the center's conference room early Monday, leaving a gaping hole and debris in its wake. Central Health officials released a subsequent press advisory noting no patients or employees were inside the building at the time of the crash, but they had to scramble to find an alternative venue for a community gathering scheduled later that day.

Related story: Car Plows Into South Austin Health Clinic

A female passenger in the car at the time of the crash, a woman in her 20s, sustained injuries that were deemed non-life-threatening, Austin-Travis County EMS medics said at the time.

The Statesman learned Cartwright previously was arrested in April 1998 and November 2005 for driving while intoxicated, the affidavit said. According to the arrest affidavit in the most recent incident, Cartwright won't be allowed to use a motor vehicle unless it has a vehicle ignition interlock, which requires a breath sample with a legal blood alcohol level of 0.08 before the engine is engaged.

According to the affidavit, Cartwright's bail has been set at $20,000. The monetary loss to the building related to the damage wasn't disclosed.

Central Health officials on Monday released a photo dramatically illustrating the damage to their building as a result of the crash:

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

Jeremy Cartwright booking photo via police records