Cops: DUI crash causes water outage at Jax Beach

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Water was back on by late morning in a Jacksonville Beach neighborhood. Police said the two-vehicle accident that resulted in a water-line break and flooded streets was caused by someone driving under the influence.

Jacksonville Beach police said 24-year-old Nevin Bacolor was speeding in a Mercedes about 11:30 p.m. and ran a stop sign at the intersection of Ninth Avenue South and First Street and struck a pickup truck, sending it into a fire hydrant.

The damage to the fire hydrant broke a water line, and gushing water quickly flooded the street.

According to the police report, Bacolor ran from the scene and initially refused orders to stop. When he finally did, officers smelled alcohol on his breath and arrested him on charges of DUI with property damage and leaving the scene of an accident.

According to court records, Bacolor's had another DUI arrest in Jacksonville Beach in 2009.

Water was shut off in the area before dawn so a valve could be replaced. Water in the street had run off by morning, but Jacksonville Beach Public Works officials said crews had to drain the water in the ditch before they could begin repairs.

This left residents in the area without water as they prepared to start their day.

"I worked out and now I'm all sweaty, and I have to go to work and now I don't know what to do," said Casey Nolan. "My aunt lives two blocks away, but she doesn't have water, so I can't go there and take a shower."

Water service was restored about 11 a.m., but pressure was low at first. Public Works officials said normal pressure would return quickly and no boil water order would be required.