At approximately 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 16, 2023, a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on 15th Ave. S. in the 1800 block caused chaos as it fled from police and ultimately crashed into an apartment building in the 2400 block of 15th Avenue South.
Law enforcement officials identified the driver as 32-year-old Deairis Bargman. He now is facing a litany of charges, including driving under the influence (DUI) with property damage, fleeing and eluding, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of marijuana, classified as a misdemeanor offense.
The situation escalated when an officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, only to have the driver speed away, ignoring police commands. Bargman lost control of the vehicle and collided with an apartment building in the 2400 block of 15th Avenue South.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene to provide aid to those involved. Bargman, suffering from injuries sustained in the crash, was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. However, a male adult passenger traveling with Bargman suffered serious injuries and is currently in stable condition under medical care.
In addition to the vehicle’s occupants, a resident inside the apartment that bore the brunt of the collision sustained injuries. The individual received medical attention promptly and was later released following treatment.
As a precautionary measure, authorities decided to relocate residents from nearby apartments until the structural integrity of the building could be assessed thoroughly.
There was also a minor gas main leak, which was resolved quickly.