Dashcam captures moment car crashing into consignment shop after swerving to miss another vehicle

ByTre Ward and ABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Monday, March 6, 2023
Dashcam captures moment car crashing into consignment shop after swerving to miss another vehicle
A consignment shop in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood is picking up the pieces after a driver crashed into the store early Sunday morning.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A consignment shop in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood is picking up the pieces after a driver crashed into the store early Sunday morning.

"I have thousands and thousands of dollars worth of damage," said Benita Phipps, the owner of A Lotta Good Stuff.

Police say a driver was heading east on 47th Street around 5:30 a.m., when they swerved to avoid hitting another vehicle and then crashed into the store.

"I was awakened to a phone call from ADT telling me that I had a glass break and that there was motion," Phipps said. "I called the police. I come from South Shore, and I got here before them."

The crash happened hours before the store was set to open.

"When I saw the guy moving around and he was standing in front, I knew he didn't have any ill intention. That he was actually a victim in this situation," Phipps said.

She said the driver, who wasn't hurt, showed her this dashcam video from his vehicle.

The video shows the moment the driver veered right to avoid another car, plowing through sturdy glass and metal, leaving Phipps with thousands of dollars worth of damage.

"This could've been just way more devastating. I could've actually been open in the store operating with people."

She said this isn't the first time this has happened.

"They need to put something here, so this won't happen again," Phipps said. "What needs to be done is that they need to put some pillars to keep corner businesses safe. It hasn't only happened to me. Now, this is my second encounter; however a store right on the corner at St. Lawrence, it happened to them this summer."

Police said no citation have been issued.

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