MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. — Workers spent much of the day cleaning up after a car crashed through a Merritt Island Hallmark Card store Monday morning just as the store was opening for the day.
Florida Highway Patrol Troopers said Joanne Youngblood, 80, was driving the car when it slammed into Johnston's Hallmark on State Road 520.
Tommie Lemonde and her daughter Elsie were standing on the sidewalk when the car went into the store.
"She didn't stop until she hit that first tier of products," said Lemonde.
Youngblood said she was trying to pull into a parking space when the accident happened.
"I understand that I hit another car. I didn't see it. I didn't know it. I've just never been in a situation like this," Youngblood said.
Witnesses said that as Youngblood was trying to park they saw her car accelerate and hit another car before crashing into the store.
"It is scary, yes, and I had on my seat belt (on), that's probably the only thing that kept me fine," Youngblood said.
Troopers said the driver of the car that Youngblood sideswiped before crashing into the building had minor injuries. No one in the store was injured and Youngblood did not suffer injuries, troopers said.
"I've never seen anything like this. She must have been horrified," said witness Lisa Galloway.
Troopers said they think Youngblood put her foot on the gas pedal rather than the brake pedal as she went to park the car. They said she will be cited for careless driving and will have to go be re-examined to determine if she will retain her driver's license.
WFTV
