A California woman drove a BMW SUV into the front of Island Market around 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9.
The 47-year-old driver from Lake Tahoe told deputies the vehicle suddenly accelerated as she attempted to park in front of the store. After initial impact, she shifted into reverse and the car lurched back towards a parked car. She shifted back into drive and the vehicle hit the building a second time – this time with sufficient force to deploy the airbags.
“We are absolutely fortunate that no one was injured,” said Fire Chief Kevin O’Brien. “The store did a great job in making sure employees and customers were safe.”
The vehicle did not penetrate the exterior wall of the building, but did considerable damage to both the store and the vehicle. The operator suffered minor injuries, and was treated and released by EMS at the scene.
One witness, who was in the meat department, said he heard a loud “whoosh” noise followed by another. He immediately went outside to see if the driver was okay.
Island Market manager Jason Linnes estimates the damage is between $30,000 and $50,000. The south entrance is inoperable; customers are asked to use the north doors.
Linnes says this is the third time in the past 10 years a driver has struck the building.
Student Emily Toombs took the photo below, showing the interior of the store.
