Residents at a Perham assisted living center experienced a rude awakening at about bedtime--when the building was struck by a car.
The accident occurred March 17, about 10:30 p.m. When Perham Police Officer Mike Christopherson arrived at the scene, there was a white Pontiac in the yard, which had struck the wall of the Autumn Manor facility, at 812 4th Avenue SW.
The vehicle skidded about 45 yards, and traveled another 25 yards when it hopped a landscape boulder in the yard, and struck the building, according to the Perham Police Department report.
Arrested at the scene was Micah Paul Groethe, 23, Perham. Charges facing Groethe include a citation for his fourth driving under the influence violation; and a citation for driving without insurance.
According to the police report, Groethe was driving at an excessive speed in the residential area.
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The report also indicates that tire marks at the scene showed the vehicle had backed up and tried to make it out of the yard, but the vehicle got stuck in the snow.
Groethe was later released to a sober party. A court date has been set for April 4 in Fergus Falls.
Autumn Manor is an assisted living facility, with mostly elderly residents. Damage to the facility caused by the accident is estimated at $1,000.
