Business reopens after truck carrying pool chemicals crashes into side of building

MAITLAND, Fla. — A pickup truck carrying pool cleaning supplies crashed into a building in Maitland Tuesday, causing a chemical spill, according to authorities.

The crash happened on State Road 17-92 and Spartan Drive at the The Sewing Studio Fabric Superstore, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Raw video: SUV crashes into Maitland building

Photos: Driver crashes SUV into building 

The driver, Joseph Batsch, 28, of Winter Springs, told Channel 9 that another car cut him off while driving in the north lanes.

Pat Sauer, the owner of the superstore, said she was in total disbelief when she was told a truck crashed into her business.

"We've been here many, many years. I've never seen anything like this or had anything like this happen," Sauer said.

The driver also said he tried to avoid hitting two other cars as he swerved into the south lanes before crashing into a phone box, a pole, and then into the building.

"As he exited the roadway he hit the curb which tore off one of his wheels and he struck a power pole and a traffic sign, which caused him then to overturn and then he slid upside down into the building," Master Sgt. Trooper Derrick Kuiper said.

Officials said there was structural damage to the building and the business has reopened. Inspectors said the electricity has been cut off around the crash site, but the wiring in the rest of the building is safe.

FHP said no one was injured.

"(Batsch) should be thankful he was wearing his seat belt. That is the main reason he just has some minor scrapes and bruises; otherwise he would have been pretty (torn) up," Kuiper said.

Officials said a small hazmat concern was caused when the pool chemicals mixed together, but the fire department quickly neutralized any fumes.

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