Jeep crashes through front wall of Norwich bakery
Norwich -- A city man drove his Jeep Wrangler into Vocatura’s Bakery on Boswell Avenue on Sunday afternoon.
The driver, Harry Viera, 71, of 3 Helen St., along with bakery employees and customers, were not injured in the 12:21 p.m. crash at 695 Boswell Ave., according to a press release from the city fire department.
Viera, who was able to get out of the Jeep before firefighters arrived, was taken away from the scene in the police cruiser. Police later charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The fire department said Viera drove through a concrete wall, a center support, the glass front of the building and food display cases before coming to rest. There was a steel structural supporting beam under the Jeep that prevented further damage, according to the fire department.
The bakery was evacuated until the Jeep could be removed. The building official also inspected the damage while power and gas were shut off.
The bakery will remained closed until repairs can occur and it can be inspected by the Uncas Health District. Police are investigating the crash.
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