Bird Rock community members are rallying to support the victims of Sunday’s tragic accident involving a suspected intoxicated driver who crashed into the Cass Street Café on La Jolla Boulevard, seriously injuring three teenagers and two adults. Visitors are invited to come to Cass Street Café, 5550 La Jolla Blvd., on Saturday, Aug. 21 to sign large posters and drop off additional cards or gifts for the three teenagers who were struck by the vehicle while walking on the sidewalk with two other friends near the café. Lt. Andra Brown of the San Diego Police Department said that the names of the victims could not be released because they are minors, but she said that all three were hospitalized and suffered injuries. The two male victims were treated for injuries that included a broken arm, a fractured tibia and a possible concussion, and the female sustained “pretty serious injuries” including a fractured pelvis and femur, she said. SDPD Det. John Letteri said that the two injured adults were Sherry and Jeff Macelli, Bird Rock residents who were seated at a table near the window when the vehicle crashed through the wall. Cass Street Café closed temporarily for repairs following the crash, with plywood covering the wall that was impacted by the vehicle. It reopened for business Tuesday morning. Owner Mike Campagna said he was working with insurance companies and other authorities in the aftermath of the incident and did not wish to comment on the accident at the time this issue went to press. The man operating the vehicle, which Brown said was a “tannish-gold” Chrysler sedan, was 66-year-old Ronald Troyer, who is allegedly a vagrant and whose driver’s license is currently suspended. “There is some question as to whether he has a reliable home address,” Brown said. Troyer was allegedly driving south on La Jolla Boulevard when he drove up onto the sidewalk, striking three of the five teenagers, then coasting through the wall of the cafe. “The car was completely inside the building,” Brown said. Following the collision, Troyer was hospitalized rather than arrested. “He was claiming that he blacked out and was having heart issues,” Brown said. Letteri said Troyer performed poorly on field sobriety tests and “appeared to be under the influence of a narcotic.” He added that Troyer has had seven previous license suspensions, in addition to two DUIs. Troyer was released from the hospital Wednesday morning and arrested shortly thereafter, Brown said. “The suspect was taken into police custody and booked in jail, where he is being held on $50,000 bail,” she said. Troyer faces seven charges that range from driving under the influence and reckless driving to driving without a license. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday at 1:30 p.m.
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