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Man faces multiple charges after sending dealership car, own vehicle into canal

Posted at 11:23 PM, Aug 31, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-31 23:24:31-04

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — A man driving a car through the Teton Toyota parking lot Wednesday morning crashed into a new car on display, and both vehicles ended up in a canal.

The incident happened shortly before 8 a.m. at 2252 W. Sunnyside Road.

The driver, 37-year-old Jeremy B. Blake of Shelley, is charged with reckless driving, operating a vehicle without insurance, open container, driving without privileges, leaving the scene of an accident, obstructing an officer, providing false information and one felony of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Surveillance video obtained by EastIdahoNews.com shows Blake was driving a Nissan Altima through the lot toward a parked brand new 2016 Toyota Corolla valued at $21,000.

Witnesses say he did not slow down or try to brake as he smashed into the Corolla. Both vehicles then went up a small hill and landed in a canal full of water.

Bystanders pulled Blake from the canal and witnesses say he said he thought he had fallen asleep on the interstate. He asked one person, “What city am I in?”

EMTs responded and took the man to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.