CORNELIUS, NC (WBTV) -
A driver in Cornelius was not interested in stopping or driving safely. Not even signs indicating it was a cul-de-sac could stop the driver. Neighbors on Camberly Road waving their arms to slow her down didn't work. The yellow barrier between the cul-de-sac and McDowell Creek Greenway was of no help. And the narrow bridge on the greenway managed to take her car door – but not stop her.
The Silver Acura left McDowell Creek Greenway without its right-side passenger door, and two mirrors. Cornelius Police are still trying to find the driver.
It all started Saturday afternoon just after 5 o'clock behind Birkdale Village.
Parents and kids were outside on Camberly Road soaking in the unusually warm March afternoon when a car driving too fast for a cul-de-sac came through.
"She wasn't slowing down. I just happened to be standing at the end of the cul-de-sac" says Chris Boggiano. "I started waving my arms. Finally she slowed slammed on the brakes – came to a halt. I thought she was going to turn around.
Boggiano says other parents started a conversation with the driver. "They started talking to her and she's really drunk and she talking ‘I'm not drunk.' Hey honey, you're slurring your speech. Why don't we call you a taxi."
Boggiano says the woman insisted "I'm not drunk." He says the car kept going forward – lurching forward.
Parents scrambled to get kids out of the way. Boggiano says he "actually offered - hey I'll give you a ride home . I'll hop in and drive you back, no questions asked. I think you're drunk"
According to Boggiano, the woman again responded "I'm not drunk – and cursing up a storm."
He says at that point the woman drove up to the yellow barrier on the greenway and ran over the barrier, leaving skid marks on the stopper.
That's when Boggiano started videotaping the incident with his cell phone camera, hoping it would prove to police what the driver did.
When the woman made it onto the greenway, Mike DiBenedictis hopped on his bicycle to follow her.
He says people had already called 9-1-1. DiBenedicitis says as the woman was driving towards the end of the greenway, she turned around because a police officer was approaching her on foot.
"She drove up towards me and stopped and said 'I just want y'all to know I wasn't trying to hit anybody. I just want to turn around'.... I said I think you're drunk. You should get out of the car. We've already called the police. And she drove off."
But according to neighbors, the driver wasn't done.
Meg Hadley and her friends were sitting on a bench near the bridge on the greenway.
"All of a sudden - you don't hear it at all" says the 16 year old. "One of these really silent things and she zooms right pass us. A good foot away from us, almost crashing into us."
Hadley says the driver went across the narrow bridge and the bridge took her right side passenger door off the panel. She also lost two mirrors. But still, didn't stop.
"It was one of these shocking moments that takes your breath away - just like, did that just happen? You're in total complete shock" says Hadley.
Boggiano, meanwhile, uploaded his video to YouTube hoping someone will recognize the silver Acura.
"I'm kinda hoping she'll turn herself in... I thought several times what did she think next day when she woke up - couldn't be anything good" says Boggiano.
Neighbors say the woman's Acura had license plate AHT 4017. Police say that plate isn't registered with that car. They're still investigating.
Anyone with information about that plate, or the damaged car should call Cornelius Police at 704-892-1363
Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.
