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Driver Slams Into Dumpster On Corner of Wallace Circle, Sends It Flying Down Stairs Near Onlookers

By Greg Hince

Photo by Greg Hince

July 16, 2012. A 19-year-old woman was arrested shortly after midnight this morning when she struck a dumpster  at 271 Wallace Circle, behind King Street, and sent it flying down a set of stairs, nearly striking a witness.

Kathryn Drew Robshaw, of 8632 Norfolk Drive, Baton Rouge, La., was charged with DWI, driving after consuming by a person less than 21 years old, failure to reduce speed and possession of unfortified wine after she went too fast around a corner and struck a pole before he car careened into the dumpster. Witnesses on the scene said that a man was sitting on one of the top concrete steps smoking a cigarette when the dumpster nearly toppled over on him, before resting three or four steps down.

In the arrest report it states that the dumpster traveled roughly 20 feet. It is estimated that Robshaw was going 25 miles per hour at the time of the crash. The speed limit on the road is 20.

Robshaw was driving a 2008 model BMW 328 xi, which police estimated received around $6,000 in damages and was un-drivable. She was driving with a provisional license.

The car is registered to an owner in Blowing Rock. It was towed and is being stored at Hampton’s Body Shop

Arresting officer Ray Blevins, who was sent to area by Dispatcher Kline, noted that open arriving at the scene he found a white female, 5 feet 2 inches tall with brown hair, shoeless in the street with a white BMW in the roadway. He stated that she had red, watery eyes and a strong odor of alcohol on her breath.

Robshaw admitted to driving the car and drinking that night.

Robshaw submitted to multiple sobriety tests and a alcosensor test, and tested positive for the influence of alcohol, but was unable to provide a sufficient sample. Witnesses said she was crying, and could not walk a straight line.

A blood sample was sent to Watauga Medical Center for analysis, and police are waiting on results to determine the extent of Robshaw’s intoxication.

Robshaw was then transported to the Magistrate’s Office, photographed and released into the custody of a friend with a written promise to appear in court Aug. 28.

The High Country Press attempted to contact Robshaw for comment, but did not receive a response.

Police diagram of the accident. Click to enlarge.
Hampton Body Shop tows in a new dumpster. Photo by Greg Hince

 

Photo by Greg Hince