An SUV crashed through the front of the O’Reilly Auto Parts on South State Street on Friday evening, injuring customers and tearing up the storefront. The crash happened at about 6:37 p.m., and Salt Lake City police arrested the driver on suspicion of driving under the influence. Officers stayed on scene into the evening to clear the wreckage and help the people who were hurt.
Police Say SUV ‘Went All the Way Into’ the Store
SALT LAKE CITY Police Lt. Cody Lougy told KSL NewsRadio that a Ford Explorer drove “all the way into” the O’Reilly Auto Parts store before coming to a stop inside the building. Police worked to get the SUV out while investigators documented the scene and employees surveyed the damage to what was, until then, a perfectly normal auto parts shop.
Three People Hurt, Driver Given Narcan
Gephardt Daily reported that three people were injured in the crash. One person in the parking lot and another inside the store were hurt and went to the hospital without ambulance transport, with both described as having minor injuries. The driver also had minor injuries and was given Narcan after appearing to overdose either just before or just after the crash, according to the outlet. Police arrested the driver on suspicion of DUI.
Where It Happened
The O’Reilly Auto Parts at 1122 S. State St. is the store that was hit. The address is listed on the chain’s online store locator for that location, along with its phone number and hours, according to O'Reilly Auto Parts.
Another High-Profile Storefront Crash
This is not the first time recently that a vehicle has turned a Utah business into an accidental drive-in. In December, a man drove a newly purchased car through the front doors of a Sandy dealership after being denied a refund, a case that resulted in felony charges, according to Deseret News.
What Comes Next
Salt Lake City police said the investigation into the crash is ongoing and that the driver is in custody, according to KSL NewsRadio. The driver’s name and any formal charges had not been released as of Friday night.
