Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Woman crashes van into business

A 45-year-old Gurdon woman crashed her van into a building on Walnut Street on Wednesday, May 19, causing extensive damage to the building and its contents.

Johnanna Jean Fensler, 209 South Ninth Street, was cited for leaving the scene of an accident.

According to a police report filed by Gurdon Police Officer Chris Russell, a homeowner adjacent to the building called police and said she saw a van drive through her yard, knocking down her fence and then running into the building owned by Glen Hughes. The section of the building where the accident occurred is occupied by a hair salon, Cutt-N-Loose.

In his report, Russell said there was a "hole in the east side of the building and bricks were all inside the structure" upon his arrival. The van had already driven away.

Fensler was located at her home, Russell said. The van was parked in the back yard behind a building with several bricks on top of it and damage to the front of the vehicle.

Russell's knock was answered by Fensler. Her leg was bleeding and Russell said he asked her what happened. "At this time, Mrs. Fensler informed me that she had driven her van into the building at 104 East Walnut. Mrs. Fensler couldn't explain what had happed "

After citing Fensler, Russell returned to the accident scene. Owners of Cutt-N-Loose, Rhonda Gail Lockwood and Anita Shaver, were asked to provide a list of items inside the building that were damaged and an estimate of their cost. The items listed included stylist chairs, cabinets, mirrors, a hood dryer and antique tables. Smaller items included blow dryers, clippers, and a product display. The total value estimated was $4,800.

Plywood was put across the opening after the accident. On Thursday, May 20, workers were beginning the clean up, preparing to rebrick the opening.