Car crashes through wall at Sabattus House of Pizza

SABATTUS — Police said a medical issue caused a 69-year-old Lewiston man to lose control of his car Thursday and slam into the side of the House of Pizza on Sabattus Road.

Nobody was hurt in the noon crash, but police said some store workers may have narrowly escaped injury.

“It could have been a lot worse, as the car went into the back storage/prep room, where staff had just vacated minutes prior,” Sabattus police Chief Gary Baillargeon said.

Investigators said driver Mike Nadeau suffered a medical issue that caused him to drive off the road and into a ditch. The car then bounced out of the ditch and slammed into the side of the pizza shop, punching a hole in the side of the building.

Nadeau was treated for cuts suffered in the wreck. He was not charged in the wreck, although police said the crash remains under investigation.

It was not immediately clear how much damage was done to the building, which was recently expanded. In addition to the hole in the side of the building, the crash also destroyed a bathroom and broke a water pipe.

The business has been vexed by problems over the past year. While it was being renovated in the spring, the House of Pizza was the target of a burglar who made off with power tools, hand tools, beer and money.

A Lewiston man was arrested and charged with burglary and theft.

By 4 p.m. Thursday, House of Pizza owner Ryan Boucher and a small crew had boarded up the side of the building. Boucher said he was not sure how long the business will be closed.

We’re getting a look at the damage caused by a car going through the wall of Sabattus House of Pizza. The owner tells us he’s just thankful no one was hurt. We have more from police at 6. #LiveonCBS13 pic.twitter.com/GSA0pJCRPG

— Taylor Cairns (@TaylorWGME) October 18, 2018