Man steals car, hits pedestrian, crashes into Minneapolis bar

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - A man was arrested after he stole a car, struck a pedestrian and crashed into a bar early Saturday morning. The crash also caused a gas leak which forced nearby residents to evacuate. Police say drugs were a factor in the crash.

The suspect, David Andrew Forgianni, and the pedestrian were sent to the hospital after the suspect crashed into 19 Bar on 15th Street West in Minneapolis.

Around 1:28 a.m. Forgianni jumped up on a car, and started stomping on the windshield, causing the panicked driver to jump out. Forgianni then began to take off his clothing.

One witness described the unorthodox carjacking.

"I didn't see any correlation between the two people, that they would have even known each other," said Ray Odell. "So, when i saw him steal the car, the gentleman who had his car stolen was like 'what is going on? Don't hurt me!'"

Forgianni then stole the car, crashed into the building and struck a gas line, causing a leak. According to police, the he also struck a man standing nearby.

Forgianni was arrested for assault with dangerous weapon, obstructing the legal process, motor vehicle theft, hit and run with injury and hit and run with property damage.

Authorities evacuated the buildings in the immediate area.

"Minneapolis police were pounding on the doors in the hallway, waking everybody up, telling everybody they needed to evacuate because of a gas leak," said Jess Lee, who was evacuated with her dauther Sadie.

Residents were able to go back to their homes around 3:45 a.m.

Before the crash, a man was in his vehicle in the area of 19th and Nicollet when the suspect "started stomping and hitting the hood and windshield. The victim jumped out and the suspect got into the vehicle and proceeded to crash into a building."