A Long Beach family of three is looking for solutions after being forced from their home and temporarily losing their art gallery business due to a drunk driver.
The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. Saturday near 7th Street and Rose Avenue. A drunk driver crashed into another car and both crashed into a store called Open Gallery.
The business is run by a family who also live in the loft next door. Anthony Altos Saucedo, co-owner of Open Gallery, was at his home with his wife and 13-year-old son when the accident occurred. He is thankful that no one was hurt in the accident.
“I just want to say we're all in shock. We're just so glad our family is here with us,” he told KTLA 5's Rachel Menitoff. “I'm happy we're alive.”
Elizabeth Garibaldi, Saucedo's wife and co-owner of Open Gallery, said she was lucky that she was not working in the area of the building affected by the accident.
“Sometimes, late at night, I'll be in the front room cleaning and putting things away,” she said. “I just happened to not be there.”
Five years ago, the family opened Open Gallery, a gathering place for artists, creators, and visionaries. Artists can exhibit their work in the gallery and develop their skills through workshops and collaborative projects.
“We have worked hard to make our dreams come true,” Garibaldi said. “And then it just shattered and went away because I made some really bad decisions.”
The family had just finished renovating the building two months ago. As a result of this incident, they will be left without a home or livelihood for quite some time.
The impact of the accident will be felt throughout the community. Ashley Aguirre is a local artist who frequents Open Gallery.
“All of their time and money goes into making this a space that really matters to people,” Agguire said. “It’s not just a place to display art, it’s a place for the community to come together.”
The driver of one of the vehicles involved in the accident was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. He was seen apologizing to the victim from another seat while being carried away on a stretcher.
The occupants of the other vehicle were not injured in this accident.
Friends and patrons of Open Gallery have started a GoFundMe for the family. All proceeds will go toward rebuilding and rebuilding the business.
