No injuries occurred after an unoccupied sedan crossed two lanes of SR309 before crashing into the front of Smulligan Glass Shop in Tamaqua today (Wednesday, April 15, 2015).
Pete Smulligan, owner of the glass shop, and his son Vaughn were standing at the store’s front counter around 2 PM when Vaughn yelled “Car!” after seeing a white Volkswagen cross both lanes of state route 309 in the direction of their store.
Pete, who was on the phone with a customer, said Vaughn then run outside in an attempt to stop the car after seeing that it was unoccupied.
Despite his brave attempt to stop the vehicle, the Volkswagen, traveling about 5-7 miles per hour, smashed into the front of the store and partially into the waiting room.
“I can’t believe it went across 309 and didn’t impact anybody,” said Pete.
Pete said the operator of the Volkswagen apparently left the vehicle’s brake off when he entered the gas station across the street. That is when it “coasted” across SR309 and into the store front.
“It could have been much worse, added Pete. “Luckily no customers were in the waiting room.”
The Volkswagen was towed away for unknown reasons. The driver’s name is unknown.
Tamaqua Police Corporal Henry Woods responded.
Pete, who spent hours today with Vaughn ripping out the store front and boarding it up said, “We’ll fix it and move on.”
Smulligan’s Glass is still open for business. Their phone number is 570-668-2093.

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