For Second Time, Centralia Business Struck by Vehicle

Feb. 21--The owners of Centralia's B&D Market can't catch a break.

Saturday morning, the building in the 600 block of North Tower Avenue was hit by a truck just as a contractor was beginning work to repair damage from a similar collision that occurred about three months ago only feet away.

The most recent crash was reported at 9:33 a.m. Sunday, according to the Centralia Police Department.

B&D owner David Haladay told The Chronicle Monday that a manager heard a noise and went outside to discover that a large blue truck had driven into the back of the building, leaving a large dent and causing structural damage.

Haladay said the manager asked for the driver's insurance information.

"That's when the driver took off," he said.

The manager got the license number and described the driver for police as a Hispanic man in his 20s. Haladay said police have a suspect based on that information.

The B&D Market was hit by a vehicle in almost the same location on Nov. 28.

That collision bent the metal exterior wall, cracked an interior wall, and caused damage to refrigerators in the business.

Haladay said work has only just gotten underway to reinforce the wooden framing damaged in the last crash.

"We had just gotten our permits and everything to begin work on the first one," he said. "We have to laugh about it."

The most recent collision caused more damage, he said. It pushed wood framing into the building and bowed the ceiling, causing a leak in the roof.

Because of the age of the building, the entire metal exterior wall will need to be replaced, Haladay said.

Haladay said he and co-owner Matt Dare plan to add cement poles in the back parking area to keep vehicles a safe distance from the business in the future.

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