An SUV crashed into the side of the Colonial Heights courthouse knocking out power to the building. (Source: Colonial Heights Police Dept.)
UPDATE: No charges in runaway SUV case
Posted 6:46 pm, July 10, 2014, by Wayne Covil
COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. — Colonial Heights Police said no charges will be filed after a SUV sped through a car wash parking lot, across a busy road and traveled more than 100 yards before hitting a major power box at the courthouse Wednesday afternoon.
The accident knocked out power to the courthouse for half the day, before it was replaced by Virginia Dominion Power.
Witnesses told police that a car wash employee went to move the SUV forward, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated.
The employee was able to miss two parked cars before trying to slam on the brakes to no success.
After crossing Dupuy Avenue, the SUV hit the curb, knocking the driver out of the seat and onto the ground.
Sheriff Todd Wilson said the SUV never slowed down and continued almost the length of a football field before slamming into the large green power box on the north side of the courthouse.
The employee was slightly injured and required medical attention at the hospital.
Bob Schrum, the owner of Flagstop Car Wash, said his employees are provided a list of cars, trucks and SUVs that have been proven prone to unintentional acceleration. In fact, he said the instances have been well documented by the National Car Wash Association.
Schrum said about a month ago that all 120 of his employees took part in a safety seminar provided by his insurance company, which touched on sudden unintentional acceleration.
The car wash employee slated to return to work Friday.
RELATED: VIDEO: SUV rolls away from car wash, knocks out power at courthouse
The accident knocked out power to the courthouse for half the day, before it was replaced by Virginia Dominion Power.
Witnesses told police that a car wash employee went to move the SUV forward, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated.
The employee was able to miss two parked cars before trying to slam on the brakes to no success.
After crossing Dupuy Avenue, the SUV hit the curb, knocking the driver out of the seat and onto the ground.
Sheriff Todd Wilson said the SUV never slowed down and continued almost the length of a football field before slamming into the large green power box on the north side of the courthouse.
The employee was slightly injured and required medical attention at the hospital.
Bob Schrum, the owner of Flagstop Car Wash, said his employees are provided a list of cars, trucks and SUVs that have been proven prone to unintentional acceleration. In fact, he said the instances have been well documented by the National Car Wash Association.
Schrum said about a month ago that all 120 of his employees took part in a safety seminar provided by his insurance company, which touched on sudden unintentional acceleration.
The car wash employee slated to return to work Friday.
RELATED: VIDEO: SUV rolls away from car wash, knocks out power at courthouse
