Alyssa Ridenour
reporter@greenepublishing.com
On Saturday, March 6, at approximately 2:15 p.m., law enforcement was dispatched to the scene of a wreck inside the front entrance of Foo-Lots. According to an official Madison Police Department (MPD) report, the vehicle involved was a black Isuzu utility vehicle, driven by Marieta Valery, of Madison.
Officer Korey of MPD attempted to talk with Valery but was unsuccessful due to a language barrier. Her husband, Richard Guerrier, translated for her. He advised Officer Korey that Valery thought she was pressing the brake pedal, but she was actually pressing the gas. According to Guerrier's translation, she then panicked and slammed onto the brakes. The vehicle came to a final resting point inside the store, after crashing through and shattering the front doors and surrounding windows.
The vehicle suffered minor damages. However, the front of the business, the front interior of the store and miscellaneous items sustained major damages. Madison County Fire Rescue Medic Jason Matchett advised that Valery did not have any life threatening injuries, and that she declined any further medical treatment.
When Officer Korey asked for Valery's license, Guerrier informed him that she did not have a license. She had an ID card. He also admitted that he knew she did not have a license and allowed her to drive the vehicle anyway.
Valery and Guerrier were both issued a uniform criminal citation and notice to appear. Valery faces charges for operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver's license, and Guerrier will face charges for allowing an unauthorized person to drive.