According to the 911 call, the driver who called it in may have fallen asleep behind the wheel. The structure was not unlike the one pictured here.

Sunday afternoon, a 67-year-old man called authorities to report he had crashed into the 30-foot tall windmill that had stood at Heritage Station in Pendleton. It served as a landmark for the Umatialla County Historical Society, and was said to be over 100 years old!

Gregory Booth had driven his SUV through a chain link fence, and smashed into two of four steel support beams, sending the windmill crashing to the ground. Historical Society officials say it could be repaired, although that might require it to be noticeably shortened in height.

Booth was NOT impaired at the time of the accident, but was cited for misdemeanor reckless driving. Historical Society officials called the accident a blow to the very identity of the society and the region. No word yet if it will be repaired, or if so, when.

 

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