A late afternoon crash in downtown Santa Rosa turned a vintage storefront into a crash site yesterday, when a three-vehicle wreck sent a pickup truck straight through the display windows of Hot Couture Vintage Fashion at Third and Wilson streets. The impact shattered the glass, mangled the facade and scattered debris across the corner shortly before 5 p.m.
No one inside the shop was hurt, authorities said, although one person involved in the collision was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries as crews worked to clear the scene.
Fire officials later declared the building unsafe and red-tagged the property after determining the exterior wall had been shoved inward about six to eight inches, according to The Press Democrat. Police said they did not suspect alcohol or drugs and were still trying to sort out how the three vehicles collided in the first place.
Longtime Railroad Square Shop Hit
Hot Couture lists its address as 101 Third Street and notes it has operated in the Railroad Square spot since the early 1980s, making it a familiar landmark for downtown shoppers and vintage hunters alike. The business will stay closed while inspectors and engineers assess the structure and spell out what repairs are needed, according to its website.
Investigation and Cleanup
City crews stuck around into the evening to sweep up broken glass and haul away debris. At the same time, police continued taking statements from witnesses and combing through nearby surveillance footage, The Press Democrat reported.
By the time officials cleared the intersection, investigators had not announced any arrests or criminal charges. The inquiry into the crash was still active.
Safety Questions For Downtown Streets
Crashes that end with vehicles inside buildings have rattled Santa Rosa before. A separate three-vehicle collision in July left one person dead and underscored how fast busy intersections can turn dangerous, according to coverage by KSRO. Residents and business owners say incidents like Thursday’s keep fueling calls for traffic calming and clearer protections for people on foot in key parts of the city.
Santa Rosa police have asked anyone with information about yesterday’s crash to contact the department. This story will be updated as investigators release more details and as the building’s owners share their repair plans.
