Vehicle crashes into Jackson Square businesses

Posted at 12:42 pm August 23, 2017
By John Huotari 4 Comments

A vehicle crashed into two businesses in Jackson Square on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, causing interior and exterior damage, authorities said. (Photo by Daniel Powers)

A vehicle crashed into two businesses in Jackson Square on Sunday, causing interior and exterior damage, authorities said.

The single-vehicle crash was reported at about 1:20 p.m. Sunday, August 20.

The Oak Ridge Police Department said the crash injured the driver, who was taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge for treatment.

“The extent of their injuries is unknown,” the City of Oak Ridge said in a statement Wednesday. “No other injuries were reported.”

The two damaged businesses are Through the Looking Glass and All About U Hair Salon.

The driver told Oak Ridge police officers that they lost control of their vehicle in the Jackson Square parking lot.

“The car traveled over a curb, onto a sidewalk, and into the front of neighboring businesses: Through the Looking Glass and All About U Hair Salon,” the city statement said. “Through the Looking Glass sustained damage to the front window and main wall. All About U sustained damage to the front door and main wall. Both businesses also reported damage to items inside.”

The name of the driver has not been released.

“The crash remains under investigation, but no charges are expected to be filed in the case,” the city statement said.

On Tuesday, Linda Johnston, owner of Through the Looking Glass, said her store was temporarily closed because the front wall shifted and she can’t open her door. But she hopes to know more today (Wednesday, August 23), Johnston said.

The crash damaged a few things in her antiques and collectibles store, Johnston said. But she said she was glad to see that the driver appeared to be mostly okay, that the damage wasn’t worse, and that no one was in the store at the time of the crash. Johnston said she sometimes sits where the crash occurred.

She will be active for Arts and Antiques in the Square on Saturday, even if she has to set up on the sidewalk, Johnston said.

“I’ll be there if I have to get a booth myself,” Johnston said.

Arts and Antiques in Jackson Square on Saturday will feature vintage and antique cars, chalk art and crafts, arts and antiques, food and the Oak Ridge Farmers Market, storytellers and authors, and a book exchange and the movie “The Pagemaster.”

There are two separate rounds of activities. Both will be in Jackson Square in central Oak Ridge. See this story for more information.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

A vehicle crashed into two businesses in Jackson Square on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, causing interior and exterior damage, authorities said. (Photo by Daniel Powers)

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