Suspected Drunk Driver Damages Millbrook Pump Station causing $100,000 in Damage

BY SARAH STEPHENS

ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS

Top Photo: Drivers license photo of Aaron M. Lafave, 36, of Millbrook.

A Millbrook Waste Water Substation was seriously damaged last week, from a suspected drunk driver. The damage is estimated to be in the area of $100,000.

On May 27, 2023, Millbrook police officers responded to the 700 block of Cantabury Lane after reports that a vehicle had run off the roadway and appeared to be stranded/stuck. Upon arrival, officers located a 2018 Jeep Wrangler that had left the roadway, beginning in the 600 block of Cantabury, apparently striking several mailboxes. The vehicle then continued towards the 700 block of Cantabury Lane, where the vehicle struck a fire hydrant and cable box. It then veered northbound prior to running through a fence and striking the wastewater pumping station. The pumping station is owned by the City of Millbrook.

Upon making contact with the driver of the Jeep Wrangler, later identified as Aaron M. Lafave, 36, officers detected an odor of alcohol about the driver's breath and person.

Millbrook Police Chief P.K. Johnson told the EAN that after administering Standard Field Sobriety Testing and pursuant to their investigation, officers determined that the alleged offender appeared to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or some other intoxicant.

Officers stated Lafave was impaired to the point he was unable to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Lafave was placed under arrest, charged with Driving while Under Influence of Alcohol. He was transported to the Millbrook Police Department, where he was processed and later transported to the Elmore County Jail, without incident. His workplace is listed at the Department of Justice. Lafave has since bonded out.

Millbrook Utility workers have been repairing damage, and the pump is operational. There will be further work required, officials said.

"We are extremely fortunate that the driver in this case did not sustain any serious injuries or cause harm to anyone else," Chief Johnson said. "There was extensive damage to our wastewater pumping station at the rear of the Plantation Oaks subdivision off Grandview Road.

"Apparently the alleged offender struck several mailboxes, a fire hydrant, as well as a cable junction box, prior to running through a fence and colliding with the wastewater pump station, causing extensive damage. I know the Millbrook Utility Department had to be called out to deal with the damage and complications that occurred as a result of the pump station being off line following the collision. A lot of man hours were expended due to this incident and after speaking with our Utility Department Administrator Michael Harris the cost of repairing the damage could far exceed $100,000.00."