Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Staff photo: Joshua Lucero Michael Valdez, 29, fled on foot Wednesday morning after crashing his car into the “Welcome to Portales” sign that greets visitors entering Portales from the north, according to police. The sign sustained minimal damage and Valdez has been charged with multiple violations, including a fourth-degree felony battery charge for allegedly kicking a police officer.
STAFF PHOTO
link Staff photo: Joshua Lucero
Michael Valdez, 29, fled on foot Wednesday morning after crashing his car into the “Welcome to Portales” sign that greets visitors entering Portales from the north, according to police. The sign sustained minimal damage and Valdez has been charged with multiple violations, including a fourth-degree felony battery charge for allegedly kicking a police officer.
For the third time in four years the “Welcome to Portales” sign that greets drivers entering Portales from the north has been damaged by an out-of-control vehicle.
The sign was struck about 10 a.m. Wednesday morning by 29-year-old Michael Valdez, of Portales, who fled the scene on foot and was later apprehended by Lt. Chris Williams of the Portales Police Department, according to department spokesman Charlie Smart.
Valdez was charged with battery on a police officer, a fourth-degree felony, after he allegedly kicked officer Williams during the arrest.
Valdez has also been charged with careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a revoked license, driving while intoxicated and resisting, evading, and eluding police.
Smart said Valdez was transported to the emergency room at Roosevelt General Hospital following his arrest and treated for minor injuries he sustained from the crash.
Valdez was the only occupant in the vehicle at the time of the accident, according to Smart.
The sign, which was founded more than 30 years ago by Portales resident and J.P. Stone Community Bank owner David Stone, suffered minimal damage according to Signman Signs’ Edward Lowman.
Stone said the sign was struck in the fall of 2011 by a commercial truck and hit again in 2012 by a driver of an sport utility vehicle.
“We’ll repair the sign again,” Stone said Wednesday morning.
Stone said he has looked into erecting a concrete barrier around the sign but plans to keep the 12-foot tall, 36-foot long sign the way it is after the repairs have been made.
Stone said the repairs for the sign are usually covered by the driver’s insurance.
Lowman said the sign has three damaged panels from the early morning hit, but the only repairs needed are rewiring for lights and straightening one of the legs.
Smart said the cost of the damage has not been determined as of Wednesday afternoon.
