Racine woman arrested for OWI after crashing her BMW into Petro truck stop

VILLAGE OF YORKVILLE -- A Racine woman, 47, was arrested for OWI, second offense after sheriff's officials said she crashed her vehicle into a truck stop on Sunday evening, Aug. 4.

According to the Racine County Sheriff's Office, around 5 p.m., a deputy on routine patrol was passing the Petro parking lot on Sylvania Avenue (off of I-94 and Highway 20) and spotted a BMW sedan parked over the sidewalk and through the exterior wall, into the commercial drivers' lounge area at the truck stop.

"I'm very shocked," said Dan Worzalla, customer. "Seeing the hole when we pulled up -- thought it was maybe a door being replaced or something."

Multiple squads were called to the scene to assist, but it was determined there were no injuries.

Sheriff's officials identified the driver in a news release as Frances Hastings. She indicated she was driving through the parking lot when her sandal got stuck on her gas pedal, causing her to drive into the building.

The crash caused significant damage to the building, sheriff's officials said. A tarp covered the hole on Monday.

"Someone could have been right in front of this building, right on the other side of the that wall," said Worzalla.

The gas station and adjoining business are popular among travelers on I-94.

"Very busy right here," said Worzalla. "It was hard enough to find a parking spot. I was lucky enough that someone pulled out right when we got here."

Hastings was arrested for OWI, second offense, and officials said her BAC was .21. Additionally, she had a revoked license due to a previous OWI conviction in 2018.

"It's sad, and it's everywhere," said Elizabeth Pielarz-Johnson, customer. "When they go to jail, when they're prosecuted, they need to stay behind bars and learn their lesson."