Driver accidentally hit gas instead of brakes and demolished part of Tom Jr's

Just after 2 pm Monday, Kirbyville Police and Kirbyville Volunteer Fire Department, and Kirbyville First Responders were called out to the 1400 Block of South Margaret Street in Kirbyville regarding a vehicle that struck and ended up inside Tom Jr's Meat Market.

63-year-old Mary Jeanette Claude of Kirbyville was driving a grey 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruze to the meat market. Claude stated that she was trying to avoid a pothole in the parking lot and accidentally hit the gas instead of the brakes. The vehicle then went up onto the sidewalk and inside the store behind the counter where workers were standing.

60-year-old Peggy Smith of Call said that she was standing behind the counter and was talking to her daughter-in-law, Breanna Smith who is also employed there. "I saw something out of the corner of my eye coming straight for me. I didn't know what was happening, but I think I took off running and realized it was a truck, so I laid down hoping it would straddle me. The refrigerator started falling on me, but I'm not sure if it knocked me down or if I fell." Clearly shaken, Smith was checked out at the scene by EMT, but because of what she went through, she was also taken by private vehicle to be checked out at the hospital.

The owner of the establishment, Mitchell Prince declined to comment.

If there is an update to this story, we will follow up and keep our readers posted.

Special thanks to Ashley Hughey, and ETB Sharpshooter, Kyle Crane who saw the crash and went inside to help those he could. Crane submitted the photo of the car immediately after the crash