Car crashes through Lumberton coffee shop, smashing front counter

A gold Toyota Camry crashed through the front glass of a Lumberton coffee shop that was filled with customers Thursday morning. The car slammed into the storefront of Good Grounds Coffee + Cafe at 769 South Main Street. No one was injured in the crash, which occurred at 10:29 a.m. When the Enterprise arrived early in the afternoon, the scene had already been substantially cleaned up. An organized stack of bricks and a hole were the only indications of an accident. Owner Will Gallagher said he had just stepped out before the accident, but his wife and store staff caught him up to speed over the phone. “When they called I could hear the alarm system,” he said. “I’m just glad no one was seriously hurt.” RELATED: Car smashes through Flagship Mail Room in Beaumont The café owner said that one man who was sitting at the front of the store when the vehicle jettisoned through the lobby was miraculously cleared from its path by the glass frame. It swung open like a door, and the chair he was sitting in was forced aside. Gallagher said he left the scene shortly after with only minor cuts on his legs. Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins corroborated the store owner’s claims of no major injuries. Sullins said the driver was identified as a 68 year-old woman. She was conscious and alert when she was transported by Lumberton Fire and EMS took her for a medical evaluation at the hospital. Gallagher added that two bystanders were the first who attempted to check on the woman. Camera footage of the incident shown to the Enterprise confirmed Gallagher's account. He said the store would remain closed for weeks due to plumbing and electrical system damage to the front counter. Sullins told the Enterprise no citations were issued and no active investigations were being conducted.