Eugene (KMTR) – An early morning police chase ended with a crash, causing major damage to a historic business in Eugene’s University Area. Now, the owners of a florist shop are trying to figure out what their next step will be.The chase began when a Eugene police officer tried to pull over a pickup truck in the Whiteaker Neighborhood about 2 a.m. The officer said driver sped off, eventually heading east on 13th Avenue, hit another car along the way, and then plowed through the front of Eugene’s Flower Home a short time later at 13th and Patterson Street. The truck was wedged almost completely inside the building.
Police Sergeant Kevin McCormick said the driver “turned the corner here apparently lost control and went into the flower shop. We're not sure yet on the status of the truck; whether it's officially stolen, borrowed or what happened with that.”
The driver and passenger were both taken to the police station.
Meantime, the front of the building was close to collapsing. Firefighters had to build braces to support the front window frame before officers could continue their investigation.
The co-owner of the business, Pat Brooks, says Eugene’s Flower Home has been there for 90 years. During that time she says they have actually had cars hit the building, but nothing this destructive.
Brooks is not sure how the crash will affect her Valentine's Day business. It depends on how quickly they can make repairs to the building.
