Toyota Prius collides with Joe Mack's Beach Shack in Friday evening crash
Posted: Friday, July 8, 2016
by Michelle Jostmeyer
Just after 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 8, the Russellville Police Department the Russellville Fire Department and Pope County EMS were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident that occurred in the parking lot of the University Plaza located at 2005 North Arkansas Avenue.
RPD officers and RFD Engine 3 firefighters advised dispatch they were en route to the call and a short time later, advised they had arrived on scene.
RFD firefighters offered dispatch a size up of the scene stating that a small passenger car, a gold Toyota Prius, had struck the store front of Joe Mack's Beach Shack and had entered the store. The car had sustained minor damage in the accident, but the store front had sustained heavy damage in the collision.
Firefighters made contact with the driver of the vehicle as well as employees of the store to inquire if anyone had sustained injuries. Upon the arrival of Pope County EMS all parties advised they were not injured and denied transport or treatment by EMS.
RPD officers on scene made contact with the driver in order to obtain his license, vehicle registration and his insurance information in order to begin investigating of the crash and for their report.
RPD officers spoke to employees who were in the store when the accident occurred and took their statements. Officers also obtained a written statement from the driver of the Toyota of how the accident had occurred and then began their investigation.
After completing the investigation, the officers learned that the driver of the Toyota was parked directly in front of Joe Mack's Beach Shack and was attempting to back out of the parking spot.
The driver accelerated the car to back out, believing the car was in reverse, but upon accelerating, the car traveled forward, due to the car being in drive. When the car accelerated it hopped the curb, entered the sidewalk, and struck the glass store front. The car entered Joe Mack's Beach Shack where it came to rest just inside the front of the store. The Toyota was later pulled from the store by a wrecker and then towed from the scene.
Owners and employees of the store began cleaning up the glass and debris left from the collision as they waited for assistance to arrive to begin temporary repairs to secure the store.
After completing the accident report and assisting in the call, both firefighters and police officer ended the call, advising dispatch they were available for service.
As of 8 July 2016:
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS [1]
2010 – 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS Vehicle Speed Control Problems (as of: 8 Jul 2016)
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS [3]
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS [7]
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS [11]
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS [9]
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS [15]
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS [264]
2001 – 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS Vehicle Speed Control Problems (as of: 8 Jul 2016)
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS [65]
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS [140]
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS [77]
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS [49]
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS [49]
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS [3]
Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS [11]
