Wilmington man to appear in court after crash into STAR Center building

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man is scheduled to make his first court appearance Wednesday after authorities say he struck a power pole and crashed into the Stabilization and Recovery (STAR) Center building on 16th Street.

According to court documents, 39-year-old Zafer Kabakci was driving south on 16th Street Tuesday afternoon when he veered off the roadway, struck a utility pole and crashed into the STAR Center building.

Kabakci is charged with driving while impaired, injury to personal property, reckless driving with wanton disregard and failure to maintain lane control.

Jail records show Kabakci is being held at the New Hanover County Detention Center under a $25,000 secured bond.

He is scheduled to make his first court appearance Wednesday.

The crash temporarily closed 16th Street between Greenfield Street and Robin Hood Road while Wilmington police and utility crews responded to the scene and repaired downed power lines.

The charges against Kabakci are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.