Altoona Business Damaged By SUV

    The female driver of an SUV was transported from the scene of a crash on Friday, February 3. The driver, unidentified by the Florida Highway Patrol, was southbound on SR 19 around 11:30 a.m. when she struck the back of a southbound truck, careened off the road, and struck the front of a building that houses the Laura’s Sweet and Spicy Emporium.
   The store is located at the southwest corner of the CR 42 and SR 19 intersection, and saw the northeast corner of its building broken away as the driver, who didn't appear to attempt to slow down, struck the front door area of the store and partially entered the building.
   Witnesses at the scene reported the driver's vehicle was southbound on SR 19 when it sideswiped a pickup truck that was ahead of it on the road and stopped for the traffic signal. The SUV hit the truck in the right rear and continued south, across CR 42, before striking the building.
   A worker inside the building avoided injury from the flying shelves, products, and cinder block chips that went flying during the crash. The male employee was seated in a chair at the northwest corner of the building, and avoided the crash's debris field.
   The building's owners Jerry and Joanne Latner, were at the scene shortly after the crash and reported that it was possible the driver had some sort of health-related issue at the wheel.
   The store has been temporarily boarded up until repairs can be made, but its many gift and honey items are still available.   The Latners this week announced that the store's inventory will remain for sale at 18406 Boys Ranch Road, just a mile north of the store's location.
   Jerry Latner on Tuesday said he hopes the store can reopen to normal operations soon.