World War II memorial vandalized, hit by drunk driver

Published: Updated:
Joe Rosenthal / archives.gov / MGN

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — An intoxicated driver crashed into the beloved Iwo Jima memorial statue Saturday night, upsetting local veterans.

George Colom, retired Marine and caretaker of the statue, believes the driver was trying to avoid the toll.

The driver hit the granite, cracking it in three different places and shattering the lights, according to Colom.

The Iwo Jima Memorial was erected in 1945 as a symbol of a hard fought battle. The statue was restored in 2011 after being abandoned for nearly 20 years.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.