A car careened into an Oakland auto body shop Tuesday evening, causing significant structural damage, though the driver remarkably escaped unharmed, officials said. The Oakland Fire Department reported to the scene at around 8:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of International Boulevard, where the building housing Turbo Auto Body was struck, according to an X post from the department.
At approx 830pm, OFD responded to a vehicle accident in the 1700 block of International. The driver was able to walk away without injury. The auto-body shop suffered major damage. Building Engineers will be on scene for several hrs. WB lanes closed b/w 17th/18th & International. pic.twitter.com/QFTAIyoNwB
— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) January 17, 2024
The impact left the auto shop with substantial damage. Yet, the sedan's driver managed to walk away without a scratch, the fire department noted, adding that it was unclear if the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol; this detail was echoed in a dispatch by CBS San Francisco. Westbound lanes along International Boulevard were still closed between 17th and 18th Avenues as late as 10:30 p.m., officials informed the public.
Building engineers arrived at the crash site and were anticipated to conduct inspections and engage in damage control activities for several hours following the incident. The Oakland Fire Department advised that the affected section of the thoroughfare would remain shuttered while experts assessed the building's integrity and commenced with necessary repairs.
Authorities have not disclosed any further details about the driver or the cause of the accident, as the investigation is presumably ongoing. They have refrained from commenting on whether there was anyone inside the auto shop at the time of the crash, and there have been no reports of additional injuries related to the collision as the driver was the only person involved who, unharmed, managed to leave the scene on foot.
