Drunk driver punches hole in Richland nursing facility, then drives off

A drunk driver slammed into two rooms at a nursing and rehabilitation facility in Richland, backed up and drove away.

People spotted Robin Pischel, 72, weaving across Goethals Drive shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday before he took a sudden turn and hopped over the curb in front of Life Care Center of Richland, said Richland Police Commander Darryl Judge.

His pickup punched a hole in the wall right next to at least one bed, according to photos posted on the Facebook group Tri-Cities Bad Driver Shaming.

Collision investigator Officer Kevon Skinner found that no one was in bed at the time, Judge said.

A video shows employees telling Pischel to stop his truck after he backed out of the hole and drove away down Goethals.

Witnesses called 911 and followed Pischel at a safe distance as he headed east on Adams Street. He stopped the truck in front of a house, which is where police caught up with him.

Investigators said Pischel was slurring his speech, had trouble standing and only had on one shoe. They had to stop the field sobriety test they were giving him because they were worried he would hurt himself.

Pischel was taken to a hospital for a blood sample and to have him checked out. Medical staff discovered he was injured, and had to be checked into the hospital.

He was cited for hit-and-run and DUI, Judge said.

The Richland Fire Department said the damaged building was structurally safe.