Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

An area at the front of the Esperanza Center in Fells Point remained boarded up July 23, 2025, after a man crashed his car into the building July 20, 2025. (George P. Matysek Jr./CR Staff)

Driver arrested after crashing into entrance of Esperanza Center


By
Filed Under: Catholic Charities, Feature, Local News, News

A Fells Point man is still in jail following a car crash that damaged the entrance of the Esperanza Center in the early hours of July 20.

Nabor Avila Solano, 24, was issued citations for driving under the influence, driving while impaired and reckless driving, and negligent driving, said Baltimore police spokeswoman Niki Fennoy. He was being held without bail, according to the state’s attorney office. A trial is scheduled for Aug. 5.

“Our repairs are underway, services have not been interrupted and we are thankful that no one was injured in this crash,” Andy Wayne, spokesman for Catholic Charities, which operates the Esperanza Center, told the Catholic Review.

According to the police statement, “at approximately 4:12 a.m. on July 20, while in the 400 block of South Broadway, officers approached a male who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol as he attempted to get into a vehicle to drive. 

“After entering the vehicle, the driver was instructed multiple times by officers to exit (the vehicle). Instead, the driver put the vehicle in drive and attempted to leave the scene. The vehicle hit the curb, crossed into the southbound lane in the wrong direction, struck another curb, and then crashed into a building.”

Police pulled Solano from the car and took him to a hospital for treatment before placing him under arrest.

The Esperanza Center, at 430 S. Broadway, was founded in September 1963 and has been a program of Catholic Charities since the 1980s. In its current location for about 20 years, the center offers a range of services to immigrants, handling more than 5,000 inquiries a year. 

Staff members help clients with legal counseling, medical and dental services, housing, employment, English-language classes, and the details of filling out forms to obtain public assistance and enroll children in school.

Read More Catholic Charities

Print Print