Suspected DUI Crash in Long Beach Devastates Art Gallery and Home [Long Beach, CA]

LONG BEACH, CA (February 26, 2024) — A Long Beach family’s art gallery and residence were severely damaged early Saturday when a suspected DUI driver caused a chain-reaction crash. 

The suspected DUI crash in Long Beach unfolded around 12:35 a.m. in the 1700 block of 7th Street, where a sedan collided with an SUV, propelling both vehicles into the Open Gallery building and the adjacent loft home of the gallery owners.

Despite the extensive damage to their property and the gallery, the family, including a mother, father, and son who were in the loft at the time, miraculously escaped physical harm. The impact was such that one vehicle penetrated the gallery, while the other disrupted the son’s bedroom, narrowly avoiding injury to the boy.

The gallery, a staple for local artists, suffered significant losses, including artworks and essential digital equipment. The family’s plea for support is echoed in a GoFundMe campaign aimed at rebuilding their lives and the gallery.

Luis Medinas Amador, the 32-year-old driver of the sedan from Long Beach, was treated for minor injuries before being arrested on felony DUI charges, with bail set at $100,000. The SUV’s occupants also sustained minor injuries and received hospital care.

Community members wishing to aid in the gallery’s recovery and the family’s relocation efforts are encouraged to contribute to the established GoFundMe.