SUV Smashes Into FreshCo Storefront in Evening Incident
A quiet evening turned chaotic on Wednesday night in Guelph after a vehicle crashed through the front entrance of a local FreshCo grocery store. Emergency services were called to the scene at 8:02 p.m. after reports of a white Jeep smashing into the building on Speedvale Avenue.
The driver, identified as a 75-year-old woman, was charged with careless driving under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. Police say she was not experiencing a medical emergency at the time of the crash.
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“She Panicked and Hit the Gas,” Police Say
Guelph Police Service spokesperson Scott Tracey stated there was no evidence of a medical episode contributing to the crash.
“There’s no indication here it was a medical thing,” Tracey said. “She panicked and hit the gas.”
Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. The driver suffered a minor bump to the head, but no other injuries were reported, and no customers or staff inside the store were harmed.
Store Temporarily Closed, Reopened Later That Day
The FreshCo location was closed Thursday morning to assess and repair the damage to the building’s front entrance. According to a store employee, efforts were underway to reopen by noon the same day.
The full extent of the structural damage has not been disclosed, but the scene was quickly secured and cleared by first responders and building management.
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Ongoing Awareness Around Elderly Drivers and Safety
This incident has once again raised questions around driver safety among seniors, particularly in high-traffic public spaces. While there is no indication of medical issues in this case, reflexes and decision-making under pressure are common concerns in discussions about aging drivers.
No further charges are expected at this time, and the case is being handled as a traffic violation rather than a criminal matter.