Oswego, N.Y. -- A Central New York construction company repaired a popular Oswego bookstore just hours after a vehicle crashed into it, damaging the storefront Sunday, police said.
The construction company — Bruce Construction at 596 Middle Rd — patched up the Rivers End Bookstore at 19 W. Bridge St. after vehicle drove into the building, damaging the store.
Around 7:57 p.m., Oswego city police were called to the bookstore after a 2014 Chevy Equinox drove into the store, said Capt. James Sherwin, an Oswego City Police spokesperson.
The driver — Mark J. Kahler, 22, of Rome — was driving west on Bridge Street when he ran a red light at the West First Street intersection, Sherwin said. Kahler swerved to avoid a sedan driving north on West First Street, driving onto a sidewalk and into the bookstore, he said.
Sherwin said Kahler was not injured in the crash or impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Soon after the crash, Bruce Construction was called around 8:43 p.m. to help the bookstore, according to the construction company’s Facebook page. The company partially repaired the store with plywood.
The construction company called the owner of Burkes Do it Best Home Center, a home-improvement products & building materials store, to get supplies needed for the repairs. Although they were closed, the Burke’s store owner opened the shop Sunday night. The owner also stayed open to make sure Bruce’s Construction had all they needed to make repairs, according to the post.
Repairs started at 9 p.m., and by midnight, the crumpled wall was boarded up, the construction company said.
Kahler was issued five traffic tickets for passing a red signal, moving lanes unsafely, driving on sidewalk, imprudent speed and reckless driving. Kahler is scheduled to appear in Oswego City Court Feb. 1.
Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com
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