South Sound News

Speeding teen driver crashes into Olympia grocery store

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A speeding teen driver crashed a car into Black Lake Grocery store in Olympia early Thursday morning.

Following the crash, cinderblocks and metal were scattered in the parking lot and a white tarp covered the front of the store.

Owner Jong Park took KIRO 7 inside. Food covered the floor, shelves were scattered and Park’s register was destroyed.

“If there was anybody here, they could've been killed,” said Park.

Thurston County sheriff's deputies said a 17-year-old sped down Black Lake Boulevard, left the road and smashed into the front of the store.

"He was speeding over 70 miles and lost control and hit the building and survived,” said Park.

Park woke up to a call from police in the middle of the night. His family has owned Black Lake Grocery for decades. Park took over in 2004.

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He said people always fly down the street. He's been hit before, just never this bad.

"People, especially young people, driving too fast,” he said.

Ernie Tobeck stopped to see the damage and snap pictures.

“I'm surprised about this,” he said. He agrees that people need to slow down. “Sometimes they'll have sheriff over here taking radar.”

Park said he hopes his building can be saved, but he’s thankful no one was seriously injured.

Deputies said the driver was treated at the hospital for minor injuries. He got a ticket for reckless driving and other citations.