Man allegedly told police he was eating chicken, using his phone before he crashed into apartment

GRESHAM, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - A 41-year-old man in Oregon was allegedly eating chicken and using his phone before he crashed into an apartment, according to authorities.

Police were called to respond to reports of a car inside a building early Saturday morning, KPTV reported.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found a Toyota Prius had hit an apartment bedroom that was occupied.

No one in the apartment was hurt.

The driver, identified as Billy Holt, allegedly showed signs of impairment. However, he told police that he had been using his phone and eating chicken before the crash.

A warrant was obtained for a blood sample and tests are pending, according to police.

Holt was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants, third-degree criminal mischief, seven counts of reckless endangerment (one count for each person in the residence at the time of the crash), and reckless driving.

He was arraigned Monday on the driving under the influence and reckless driving charges. He was granted entry into a diversion program, where he can avoid jail time if he complies with the program’s requirements and does not re-offend.

No charges were filed during his arraignment for reckless endangering and criminal mischief charges.

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