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NC Walmart reopens after SUV crashed into front doors; employee stopped SUV after driver had seizure

A Walmart Supercenter reopened Friday morning hours after a red Ford Explorer crashed into its front doors.

Posted Updated

By
Nia Harden
and
Eric Miller, WRAL reporters
LOUISBURG, N.C. — A Walmart Supercenter reopened to customers Friday morning hours after an SUV crashed into its front doors.

The red 2005 Ford Explorer crashed into the Louisburg store's entrance Thursday around 8 p.m. at 705 Retail Way.

Authorities said a medical emergency caused the driver to drive into the Walmart. He was taken to an area hospital.

Following the crash, the store was closed for the rest of the evening.

The 26-year-old driver was charged with careless and reckless driving and damage to property, according to the Louisburg Police Department. The driver’s mother owned the SUV and was charged with allowing the vehicle to be driven with no insurance.

Although a medical emergency may be the cause, Louisburg's police chief said the driver was charged "based on the gravity and dangerousness of the manner in which the individual was driving that led to such significant property damage and substantial risk of injury or death to customers and employees of Walmart." The driver did not have a license, the chief added.

On Friday, WRAL News learned the District Attorney’s Office will decide whether to proceed with charges or not.

NC Walmart reopens after SUV crashed into front doors

The fire department said no customers, employees or first responders were injured in the crash.

Walmart employees told WRAL News the driver had a seizure. They said a fellow employee reached into the Explorer and put it in park after it smashed through a pair of bollards and the outer doors. The employees said the driver had his foot on the gas the entire time before the employee got the SUV to stop.

There was extensive damage to the grocery and pharmacy entrance to the Walmart, police said. Windows in the doors and frames were shattered, and the metal frame structure of the entrance was bent and torn away from the building.

NC Walmart reopens after SUV crashed into front doors

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