Uniontown Store Reopens After Truck Crashes Through Front Doors

March 4, 2013 1:28 PM

(Photo Credit: Dave Byers)

Reporting Rick Dayton

Filed under

Local, News, Syndicated Local

UNIONTOWN (KDKA) – Surveillance video has become a great tool to help police catch criminals.

Over the weekend, the cameras were rolling in Uniontown as employees at a store on Connellsville Street got a lot more than they bargained for.

“I heard a loud crash and didn’t know what it was,” David Byers said.

Byers is the nephew of the owner of the store. He was working Saturday night when an 18-year-old driver tried to give the convenience store a drive-through lane.

WATCH: surveillance footage of the crash:

“Somebody called and ordered a sandwich, so I was over in the kitchen making it and next thing I know, I hear this loud noise and there was a truck through the building,” Byers said.

Surveillance video shows another employee counting money at the register when the truck smashes though the door, into the counter, spinning the register and change drawer out of their hands.

“He looks at me once he is inside the building and realizes what he’s done, starts cursing, puts it in reverse, and floors it back out the store, and then he comes running in to make sure everyone’s okay,” Byers said.

According to police, Joseph Engle, 18, of Uniontown did not have a license and borrowed the truck from a friend.

Rick Dayton reports:

“He claims he was pushing the brake when in fact he was pushing the gas,” Byers said.

Byers is grateful the crash happened during a quiet time around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

“Thank God no one was in the store. It was just me and another employee,” Byers said.

They were closed Sunday, but already new stud walls are built and a new door has been hung. Byers Market re-opened for customers around 6 a.m. Monday with a skid mark on the floor serving as a lingering reminder of an exciting weekend.