By Moses Leos III.
A “disoriented” driver is responsible for destroying Buda’s LED reader-board sign at the intersection of Old San Antonio Road and Main Street, according to Police Chief Bo Kidd. That sign was the city’s main way to promote events for most of the last year.
The city installed it last year at a cost of $24,000.
On March 4, Mark Anthony Acosta, 21, of Manchaca careened his maroon Ford Explorer into the sign as he was traveling westbound on Main St. around 3:40 p.m.
Buda police, who arrived on the scene at 3:45 p.m., now question whether Acosta was under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance at the time of the accident. Kidd said his department filed a subpoena for the toxicology test results.
Kidd, who spoke briefly with Acosta at the scene, said the driver showed signs of being under the influence. Kidd said if Acosta suffered a head injury in the accident, it could cause disorientation.
“It could have been a number of things,” Kidd said. “He could have been on drugs, or maybe he wasn’t. There isn’t really a clear explanation, nor does (Acosta) remember.”
According to the Buda police accident report, the driver was not paying attention to the roadway and drove onto the curb. Unable to control the Explorer’s speed, Acosta veered onto the median and slammed into the LED sign.
The police report also indicates that Acosta admitted to smoking marijuana earlier that day.
It is unknown how fast the vehicle was going at the time of the accident. According to the investigator’s findings, a contributing factor may have been a distraction in the car.
An ambulance from Emergency Services District No. 2 transported Acosta to University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin. He has since been released. His passenger, Alfredo Deanda Hernandez, was treated and released at the scene.
Police charged Acosta with failure to control speed and driving with an invalid driver’s license; however, they did not arrest him.
Kidd said his department would await the toxicology results. If Acosta tests positive, the department would consult with the Hays County District Attorney’s Office to determine what, if any, charges are filed.
Meanwhile, the city works on replacing the sign.
According to city manager Kenneth Williams, city staff members are working with Acosta’s insurance company to replace the sign. Buda could also file a claim with its insurance from the Texas Municipal League (TML), should the driver’s insurance not cover the cost.
Williams said accidents involving city property are not uncommon, but rarely on such a large scale.
“We are used to it, whether it’s a stop sign or directional sign,” Williams said. “Unfortunately, it was our LED sign.”
The city plans to put up the replacement soon. Mayor Todd Ruge said city council will choose whether to relocate the sign, and if any design changes are necessary.
“It was a different council [when the first sign was built]. I’d like to get the new members’ insight,” Ruge said. “We definitely are going to replace it.”
According to Ruge, council could discuss the issue within the next month.
At top: Buda firefighters inspect a Ford Explorer that careened into Buda’s LED reader board sign on March 4. Questions surround the driver, who was “disoriented” behind the wheel. (Photo by Bo Kidd)
