Car crashes into block of Boston businesses, causes partial building collapse

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The structural integrity of a building in Boston's Roslindale neighborhood that houses multiple businesses has been compromised after a car crashed into it Sunday morning.

Boston firefighters responded to the building on Corinth Street shortly before 9 a.m. Sunday and evacuated the building over concern of a potential collapse.

Deputy Fire Chief Michael Doherty said the major damage happened at 4 Corinth St.; 6 Corinth St., the address for Sebastian's Barber Shop; and 8 Corinth St., the address for Threading for Beauty.

The driver of the car involved in the crash was transported to an area hospital by Boston Emergency Medical Services. Doherty said the driver suffered minor injuries.

Photos from the scene showed a Toyota Camry buried beneath rubble and the Threading for Beauty storefront completely destroyed. The exterior of the second-floor rooms above Threading for Beauty also collapsed as a result of the crash.

The car struck a support beam inside the building. The driver was able to get out of the vehicle before part of the second floor collapsed and debris fell onto the car.

The driver told witnesses he was going 70 miles an hour and that his accelerator was stuck when he hit the building.

"The impact of that car is unbelievable," said Luis Giunta, whose company was helping shore up the building. "I think going 70 miles an hour, it's like a train hit the building and a lot of damage for such a small vehicle."

"I'm completely heartbroken," said Sarah Kosky, owner of Beautiful By Sarah at 20 Belgrade Ave., which is located on the other side of the building from where the crash happened. "This is my busiest week of the year, too, for makeup, skin care, waxing."

Four or five businesses have offered their space for for those who have lost theirs.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu lives in the neighborhood where the crash happened and said her husband and their two sons are regular customers of Sebastian's Barber Shop.

"I'm thankful and grateful for the quick response of all of our first responders and that, in fact at this time of the day and this day of the week, the businesses were closed and no one was hurt inside," Wu said.

The building has been a fixture in the neighborhood since World War II.

"It's going to be a slow comeback, but the building will be back to what it was and maybe even better," Anthony Giordano, the building's owner, said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help affected businesses.