A vehicle veered off-course and crashed through the front entrance of a Home Hardware store in Saskatoon early Friday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. CST on Central Avenue in the Sutherland neighborhood. Upon arrival, the Saskatoon Fire Department found the car inside the store, occupying the space where the front cash registers were previously located. They assessed the damage and confirmed that the vehicle was not operational or leaking any fluids.
Although no individuals were discovered inside the car, security cameras captured the perpetrators fleeing the scene. Saskatoon Police reported that three individuals fled following the crash and have not been apprehended yet, with the hit-and-run unit handling the investigation.
Wyatt Zacharias, the store owner, received a call from the authorities and arrived at the scene at around 3:30 a.m. CST. He expressed gratitude that the incident occurred after business hours, minimizing potential harm to employees or customers. Zacharias emphasized the importance of everyone’s safety, noting that even the occupants of the vehicle appeared unharmed based on surveillance footage.
Zacharias highlighted a concerning detail from the security footage, indicating possible intoxication of the driver and passengers, as they were seen retrieving beer from the car before leaving the premises. Despite the significant damage caused by the crash, Zacharias mobilized his construction crew promptly, enabling the store to open at the usual time of 8 a.m.
The repair process is estimated to take at least two months and cost between $30,000 and $40,000 for permanent fixes. Zacharias expressed gratitude for the immediate support received from customers and the community, with neighboring businesses offering assistance and gestures of kindness. This community support has reaffirmed Zacharias’ commitment to fostering strong relationships within the local area.