Car crashes into vacant restaurant building on Pine Island

Deputies are investigating what led a car to crash into a Lee County building that authorities believe has been empty since Hurricane Ian.

According to the Matlacha and Pine Island Fire Control District, nobody was hurt in the Pine Island crash, and it remains unclear why it crashed into the building.

“She was gonna get a gift at my shop. Instead, she drove her car through this building here, so it was a very different day for her,” said Kevin Farley, the owner of the nearby Salt and Poppy Gift Shop.

The crash site was surrounded by yellow fire line tape with wood, glass and other building rubble scattered around the scene.

“We were here working like any normal day when we saw a car coming out of the back of that building,” said Alfredo Gomez, the owner of the nearby Tacos El Viejon.

The woman’s SUV went into one side of the building, pushing through to the other end.

“I think she just hit the gas instead of the brake, which, I guess, is pretty obvious,” said Farley.

Nobody was in the building, originally called Nick B’s Artisan Foods, when the SUV crashed into it.

“Thank God there was no one in there. That would have been a lot different,” said Farley.

What used to be windows and walls are now just scraps. Furniture that was once inside was left scattered.

Originally written with the word “fresh,” a sign transformed into nothing more than splintered wood and dust.

Loose wires at the crash scene led the fire department to disconnect the vehicle’s battery and power to the structure.

The owner was told what happened and is supposed to board up the building.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash.