SUV rams bakery, injures 1

Bernice White, whose father drove his vehicle into Nickles Bakery on Hill Avenue, surveys the damage. J.D. White, who drove his sport utility vehicle into the bakery, told police he's not sure how the crash happened.

Bernice White, whose father drove his vehicle into Nickles Bakery on Hill Avenue, surveys the damage. J.D. White, who drove his sport utility vehicle into the bakery, told police he's not sure how the crash happened.

Linda Buck was working with bread on a rack in the back of the Nickles Bakery Thrift Store when a sport utility vehicle crashed through the front of the building and pushed her through an interior block wall.

"She didn't even see it coming," supervisor Jack Thourot said. "It's a wonder she's alive."

Mr. Thourot said the 15-year employee then became pinned between the SUV and a wall during the crash yesterday at the store, 2698 Hill Ave., just west of Westwood Avenue. She was being treated last night at the Medical University of Ohio Medical Center. Her condition was not available.

Neither the driver, J.D. White, 67, of Toledo, nor his 65-year-old wife, Bernice, was hurt. They told police they were wearing seat belts.

J.D. White, who drove his sport utility vehicle in to the bakery, told police he's not sure how the crash happened.

Their daughter Deb Watson said the family would take the couple to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center so they could be examined.

"It's a terrible accident. We're worried about the lady also," said Ms. Watson, 50, of Toledo. "I want the lady at the hospital to be OK. I know that was a shock for her and my parents."

The Whites pulled into the store's parking lot about 3 p.m. Mr. White told police he's not sure how the accident occurred.

"He's not sure if he pressed the brake or if he pressed the gas. His intentions were to stop, but he's not sure what happened before he hit the building and someone there was pinned," Officer Hany Youssef said.

The officer said Ms. Buck, 47, of Toledo, was pinned against a wall or a door.

No citations have been issued. The crash remains under investigation.

Angel Williams, a part-time clerk, was at the cash register when the SUV plowed through the building, which houses the store in the front and a warehouse in the back.

"All I saw was that truck fly by me. He came flying through the window," said the shaken 32-year-old Northwood resident. "It was like a bomb going off. It was so loud."

Ms. Williams, who has worked at the store for 2 1/2 years, said she turned and ran as fast as she could to get help.

"I ran into the offices. I knew Linda was in the store when he came through," she said.

Mr. Thourot said he went to the bank for five minutes and when he returned he found the SUV inside the store. He didn't know how much damage the store sustained and didn't know if any of the inventory could be sold. He said the store would be closed for an undetermined period of time.

Blocks from the wall Ms. Buck was pushed through were strewn on the floor amid loaves of squashed bread. The wall separates the store from the warehouse, which services grocery stores.

Relatives of the Whites said the couple stopped at the thrift store to buy four loaves of bread and possibly some pastries before going home. They said the store has been their regular bakery for years.

Contact Christina Hall at:

chall@theblade.com

or 419-724-6007.