Conflicting stories abound over damage to the Friends Church, 401 Carson Avenue in Las Animas.
At approximately 4:07 p.m. on Jan. 7, the Las Animas Police Department received a report of a vehicle inside a building at Fourth Street and Carson Avenue, Police Chief Donald Trujillo said.
Upon arrival, police officers found a vehicle on the grass outside the Friends Church.
According to witnesses, the vehicle, driven by Tina Link of Las Animas, struck the church, shattering a window and breaking through a brick wall. There were two passengers in the vehicle, witnesses said.
All three occupants left the scene on foot.
“They didn’t have coats,” Wynona Huddleston, member of the church said. “It was cold.”
Another member of the church picked up two of the alleged occupants and took them to their residence.
“It was the first time I’ve had the whole Police Department show up for church,” Rev. Dennis West said.
According to Trujillo, two people contacted, denied having any involvement in the accident and they found one person lying on the sidewalk with minor injuries.
Trujillo anticipates charges being filed against those involved in the accident.
Lee Roy Link, Tina’s father, said she was driving when an altercation broke out over control of the vehicle, causing her to lose control.
He said she was taken to the hospital with injuries and can’t see out of one eye.
Tina has no memory of the accident after hitting the church building, he said.
Huddleston said the occupants tried to back up and drive away after hitting the building, but the airbags had deployed, rendering the vehicle immobile.
Significant damage was done to the wall and two pews were damaged, in addition to a sprinkler system outside.
Yet services will be conducted Sunday, West said.
West said the ironic thing was that he was preparing a sermon on “Tough Days” about problems being encountered by parishioners.
“I didn’t expect the Lord to illustrate it so well,” West said.
Instead of holding Sunday services in the Sanctuary, they will be conducted in the Fellowship Hall.
Heaters will be provided for the classrooms, he said.
“We’ve got good seats and we’ll have church,” West said.
Sunday School will take place at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday. Worship services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m.
