Driver crashes into condo, charged with DWI

A large crowd gathered Monday morning along Lake Austin Blvd. as members of the AFD special operations team turned their attention to the building that was hit by an SUV. They slowly pulled down the remaining part of a storage room at the Lake Austin Waterfront Condos.

"One you don’t want to pull it too fast, or too hard, because it could fall in a place that’s not controlled,” said Robert Moore with Austin Code.

A crane was then used to remove a Sedan that had been wedged under the storage building. The incident happened shortly after 11:00 Sunday night. Investigators say the driver of an SUV crashed into the condos after traveling down Enfield Road and hitting a parked Sedan. The driver survived the impact. Monday afternoon Austin police identified him as 28-year-old Taylor Millsap. He was charged with driving while intoxicated.

Engineer Jeff Tucker determined that the main part of the condo is still structurally sound.  While it certainly didn't dodge the bullet, Tucker said it did great job absorbing the blow. 

"If the car and the two-story addition had not been there, we could have seen that whole thing come down,” said  Tucker.

Residents tell FOX 7 this is a dangerous intersection and it’s not the first time someone has blown through the stop sign causing an accident.

"I think it is very clear the city needs to put warning ahead of this intersection at the top of the hill - just beyond us here. As well as signs that this is a pedestrian area, this is a pedestrian zone, in addition to protect the properties across the way, and the walkway where the pedestrians’ traffic, they need to put some significant barriers that will help to protect those individuals,” said Dr. Rocco C. Piazza.

There are no plans to install a signal or caution light at the location according to a spokesperson with the city transportation department. Fox7 was also told there are no plans to put up traffic calming devices or warning signs. The lack of action is frustrating for residents.

"We are lucky no body lost their life last night,” said Dr. Piazza.

For now the only safety measure installed at the scene is security fencing put around the debris.