'It's been quite a problem:' Demolition begins a month after truck crashes into building
The process to remove a truck that crashed into a building in Atwood a month ago started on Wednesday, as portions of the building were torn down to help dislodge the truck.
The logging truck and trailer crashed into the building around 6:15 a.m. Sep. 5, 2022. Diana Henning lives across the street from the crash site, and said she has been waiting for the demolition to happen ever since the crash.
“Every day you’d wonder if they’re going to do something, but they’d always put it off,” Henning said.
The building was originally a funeral home and furniture store. It was being turned into apartments, but had to be torn down because the truck hit the other side of the doublewide structure and was lodged in the building.
The owner of the property declined an interview but said he tried to get financial help as he thought the building could still be saved, but engineers determined it had to be torn down.
As locals waited weeks for something to happen, they started poking fun at the crash site, putting up a sign down the street that read “SEE ATWOOD’S FAMOUS TRUCK LEAVE A NICKEL” and “TRUCK FOR SALE AS IS WHERE IS.” Henning said she was also planning to make it a Halloween display if it was still there at the end of October.
“I was thinking that we were going to decorate if they don’t soon get it out. But they’re working at it,” Henning said.
According to Ontario Provincial Police, the driver was charged with careless driving, and the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Demolition crews shut down Main Street as they moved chunks of the building on Wednesday. Onlookers said they were happy to see it happening.
“Good to see right now. It’s been quite a problem for the last month while it’s been sitting there,” James Lisewski, who lives beside the crash site said. “So many people stopping out here looking at it, and everyone would ask you what happened. So you would have to keep telling them over and over.”
Lisewski said although it’s just a different eyesore now, it’s at least a step in the right direction.
“In a way, it’s good to see it go. On the other hand, I kind of feel sorry for the guy that owns it, because he has put a lot of money and time in there. So it’s just one of those things,” Lisewski said.
With files from CTV London.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.