An early morning crash Monday left significant damage to The Nook Coffee and Tea building, located on the corner of Quadra Street and Hillside Avenue.
According to a release from the VicPD, two cars collided at the intersection sending one slamming through the cafe’s brick wall shortly after 1 a.m. The accident left the structure requiring temporary beams to help stabilize the building.
Debris – including broken glass, exterior bricks, tables and chairs – was strewn inside the cafe late Monday morning and a security officer stood guard to ensure no one tried to enter.
The Nook’s Facebook page featured a post notifying customers of the accident.
“We were unfortunately hit with a car in the early morning Monday,” the post read. “We will be closed until further notice but we’ll try and keep everyone updated. Love from The Nook fam.”
The lone driver of the vehicle was taken to hospital, and due to the nature of his injuries, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has been notified and is investigating after the same vehicle nearly struck a police vehicle earlier that night when it blew through a stop sign at Quadra and Courtenay Streets, police said.
The IIO is looking into a possible connection between the driver’s injuries and the actions of police.
arnold.lim@blackpress.ca
