Man who drove into church had 0.24 blood alcohol content, police say

COLUMBIA — The man who Columbia police said drove his car through the front of the First Presbyterian Church on Friday night had a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit, according to court documents.

Scott Andrew Robinson's blood alcohol content was 0.24, according to a Breathalyzer test, when he was arrested. In a hearing Wednesday morning before 13th Circuit Court Judge Deborah Daniels, Robinson's bond was reduced from $60,000 to $6,000. He appeared with his defense attorney Adam Dowling.

Robinson, who is listed as a student at MU, will be required to wear electronic monitoring, is prohibited from possessing or consuming intoxicants and cannot operate a motor vehicle or be on the premises of 14 Hitt St., which the probable cause statement listed as the address of the church. According to the church's website, it's actual address is 16 Hitt St.

He will also be required to undergo alcohol treatment and counseling, according to court records.

Robinson was in the Boone County Jail early Wednesday evening, but his bond was being processed, jail Capt. Jenny Atwell said.

The incident occurred after Columbia Police Officer Patrick Corcoran attempted to pull over Robinson's car.  Robinson backed the car up into the officer’s car and then drove through the front of the church, where a youth gathering was being held, the report said. No one was harmed, but the crash resulted in thousands of dollars in property damage, according to the probable cause statement.

An estimated 40 youths of various ages and 11 adults were in the church during the crash, according to the probable cause statement.

Robinson was charged with driving while intoxicated, first-degree property damage, second-degree endangerment of the welfare of a child, third-degree assault and first-degree assault of a police officer.

A preliminary hearing for Robinson was set for March 14.

As previously reported by the Missourian, the church will be a venue for the upcoming True/False Film Festival. According to a news release from the festival, the crash will not delay the opening of the Globe Theater in the Social Hall of the church.

The festival operations team, cleanup and construction crews worked to clean up the hall.