GALT, CA (MPG) - The City of Galt received the worst kind of Christmas present after a vehicle plowed into the Barbara Payne Community Garden on Christmas morning in a hit and run. 

Members of the nonprofit Galt Community of Character Coalition arrived at the garden at Harvey Park on Third Street to find the free food table, community bulletin board and Eagle Scout project destroyed, according to an email from Gale Webber, treasurer for the nonprofit. 

Evidence of the car crash could be found around the site. 

Bronson Simunek, a member of the nonprofit, said her daughter went to the garden around 10:45 a.m. and the garden was intact, but when she arrived just 15 minutes later, the damage had been done. 

“I went to get some cilantro and that is what I got to see,” Simunek said. “Holy mackerel.” 

Simunek said someone turned themselves into police shortly after the organization posted about the incident. 

It is unclear who caused the crash or why it occurred.

The Galt Police Department declined to provide a copy of the incident report, citing police department policy that only allows people who are involved in an incident to access the report. 

Simunek said the damage likely will cost between $4,500 and $5,000 and would have been higher if the motorist had struck the fence. 

The community garden was dedicated in 2016 and is named to honor former Councilmember Barbara Payne. 

 Simunek said she hopes the nonprofit will be able to get the perpetrator’s insurance to pay for the damage. 

Simunek said the motorist missed a nearby fire hydrant by one foot. 

Simunek said if all else fails, the organization will hold a fundraiser to help to pay for the damage.