One arrested, one hospitalized after SUV crashes into sandwich shop
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A worker at a local sub shop is in critical condition after an SUV crashed into the shop early Friday morning.
It happened at the Greiner’s SubShop shop on the 2100 block of Shelby Street near Raymond Street. Police said they were called around 5:30 AM from an employee at the Speedway gas station across the street, who said they’d seen an SUV crash into the shop.
The female driver was in her SUV at the gas station when police arrived, and they took her into custody.
41-year old Deana Shumaker faces a preliminary charge of criminal recklessness, after police say she told them she meant to drive into the building.
They say a worker had been inside the shop at the time, and was taken to Eskenazi in critical condition after the crash. She had been pinned and had to be extricated from the wreckage inside.
- Photos | See images from the scene
IMPD said that their aggravated assault detectives were called to investigate because they believed this was an intentional act, but at a random location. They said they believe the driver was suffering from possible mental health issues, and intentionally drove into the sandwich shop.
They described this as a “freak” accident.
Inside the sub shop it looks like a war zone. Tables and chairs are overturned. Shattered glass spread across the floor. Appliances are crushed so badly that they’re no longer recognizable.
But worse than the damage? Employee Tina Scriggs was inside at the time of the crash.
“Unfortunately, Tina was within easy proximity of that car and not in the back. She would’ve been in a better place if she had not been up front,” said Greiner’s owner Lisa Moyer.
Tina, a loyal employee of 31 years, got to the restaurant Friday morning before 5:30. She was preparing for the typical lunch crowd.
“She was breaking bread. She was getting the front prepared and breaking bread,” Moyer explained.
Police say Shumaker intentionally drove into the building, but they don’t believe she knew that an employee was inside. Authorities say Shumaker was possibly suffering from a mental health episode.
“Which led her to believe that something was going on inside the sub shop that she needed to drive her vehicle in to protect people,” said Captain Richard Riddle of IMPD.
The crash left an enormous hole in the front of the building. A construction crew spent the morning and afternoon boarding it up. Greiner’s will be closed for the next week or two, according to Moyer.
“This building, I’ll get it figured out. Greiner’s, we will be here. Today, what matters is Tina Scruggs,” she said.
Scruggs was rushed to Eskenazi hospital. She underwent multiple surgeries and is now in the operating room in serious condition.
Detectives are investigating to see if drugs or alcohol were involved at all.
They’re also looking to see if the incident was caught on surveillance video.
The owners of the sandwich shop have set up a GoFundMe for the victim to help cover her medical expenses.
