Driver crashes into North Vernon building and parked SUV

Photo courtesy of North Vernon Police Department

North Vernon police say that an elderly driver crashed into a building Friday evening, then crashed into a parked car.

The incident happened at about 7:22 p.m. when 75-year-old Phillip A. Hartwell of North Vernon left a parking space, then drove south across Walnut Street and crashed into the Layman Insurance building, according to police reports. That crash caused significant damage to the building, according to police.

Hartwell then allegedly put his truck into reverse and struck an SUV parked on Jackson Street.

Police say that the driver was taken to St. Vincent Jennings Hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.