The crash happened at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Emergency crews didn’t remove the vehicle until about 8 a.m. due to concerns the building may collapse, police said.
Store surveillance video showed three men climbing out of the damaged building and fleeing down East Main Street before officers arrive. Police have contacted the car owner, but someone else was reportedly driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, according to the report.
John Moisan and his mother, Charra Uhl, were in their upstairs apartment when the car hit.
“It was like a big, giant bang. It shook the whole building,” Moisan said.
The two were only allowed to recover a few items from inside the apartment before they were evacuated for safety. The Red Cross is assisting them with housing at the Executive Inn until the building can be repaired, Moisan said.
Nolan Miller, owner of the building and Dream Merchant, said the shop is still open. However, it could take up to a month to shore up the structure and repair the tattoo procedure room which was “completely destroyed,” he said.
“The car just blew it up like a bomb,” he said.
Miller said he doesn’t know how much business he’ll lose in the process.
Police said the driver will face charges. Anyone with information can contact Springfield police at (937) 324-7716.