SUV crashes into Oakland Park business, causing extensive damage

A car crashed into an Oakland Park business early Sunday morning, causing significant damage to the storefront and forcing the company to close its doors. The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m. at Oriental Rug Care near Northeast 12th Terrace and Oakland Park Boulevard.

Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and Oakland Park Fire Rescue responded to the scene, where an SUV had smashed through the building’s wall. No injuries were reported, but the building was marked with an orange sign from the city declaring the structure unsafe.

Surveillance footage from both inside and outside the building captured the moment the SUV struck the storefront. The video shows the driver and passenger walking out of the vehicle after the air bags deployed, appearing to have escaped serious injury. One person was seen putting their hands on their head after observing the damage to the property.

The impact scattered debris throughout the building’s break room and sent a refrigerator flying inside the facility. Oakland Park Fire Rescue confirmed that no one was inside the building at the time of the collision.

Hassan Ashwas, the owner of Oriental Rug Care, spent much of Sunday cleaning up the site. “I guess somebody crashed into here flying through dumpsters and stuff,” Ashwas said. “Went through our door and the garage door, so our business is pretty much shot.” Ashwas noted his relief that the crash occurred during the night rather than during active business hours.

The closure of the business affects six employees who work at the location. Ashwas expressed concern over the damage to the building’s two main entrances while boarding up the hole where the vehicle entered. “Two of our entrances gone,” Ashwas said. “I don’t know how we’re going to operate. So one little mistake on the driver’s side. Yeah, puts six people that work here in jeopardy.”

Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the crash, which remains under investigation by the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Following the investigation at the scene, the SUV was towed away with significant front-end damage. Ashwas stated that the driver involved in the incident was issued a citation.

Ashwas stated he intends to get the garage door open by Monday.