Car crashes into business in Sanford on Thursday 11th August, 2016

"It was kind of like an earthquake,” Ruggiero said.

A car had plunged into the Sport Clips just two doors down from his pizzeria. Witnesses said a man had just paid his bill at the AT&T store nearby when he got in his car, then suddenly drove right into the Sport Clips, shattering glass and just narrowly missing several people sitting in chairs waiting to get haircuts inside the business.

Investigators say the driver of the car, identified as Joseph Baker, then backed up and took off.

"I went out back and saw the car peel out, and then the officer go after him,” Ruggiero said.

But Baker didn’t get too far. Deputies said two fire marshals just happened to be in the shopping center and followed Baker down Rinehart Road and H.E. Thomas Parkway.

They say at one point, Baker lost control of his car. The car flipped, hit a utility pole and caught fire. Baker was not seriously injured and was arrested.

It's unclear why Baker crashed into the store or took off afterward. Deputies say he was driving on a suspended license.

"It's pretty crazy to happen here in this shopping center. There's always people walking around... I'm really glad nobody was there to get hurt,” Ruggiero said.

Baker is facing several charges, including hit and run and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage. He’s in jail without bond and due to face a judge from the jail for a first appearance Friday.

Source :
Car crashes into business in Sanford, speeds off