Driver arrested after pickup truck crashes into Fort Lauderdale gas station

1 taken to hospital with minor injuries; driver not injured

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A driver was arrested Tuesday after crashing his pickup truck into a gas station in Fort Lauderdale.

The crash occurred at the Exxon station convenience store on Northeast Fourth Avenue near Northeast 13th Street.

"It just sounded like a big boom," the manager, Syed Ali, said. 

Local 10 News reporter Roy Ramos said a bystander was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. He said the driver wasn't injured.

"It was a customer standing close by and I think he had coffee sitting on the counter, and he just splashed (it) probably," Ali said. 

A tow truck was used to remove the black Dodge RAM from the inside of the store.

The impact of the crash caused shelves to be knocked over and the front of the truck was visibly damaged. 

Ramos was at the scene as the driver underwent a field-sobriety test. He was ultimately placed into handcuffs and arrested. 

Detective Tracy Figone confirmed the driver, Joseph Wayne Ligas, 67, of Fort Lauderdale, faces charges of DUI, DUI with property damage and failure to use due care. 

Ali said the driver was apologetic. The store reopened late Tuesday afternoon with just a section of it closed off. 


About the Authors:

Roy Ramos joined the Local 10 News team in 2018. Roy is a South Florida native who grew up in Florida City. He attended Christopher Columbus High School, Homestead Senior High School and graduated from St. Thomas University.