Vehicle crashes into stuffed animal business

MOSES LAKE - A vehicle reportedly crashed into a Moses Lake business Monday night.

A 1993 Jeep Cherokee driven by Rocio Velazquez, 33, Quincy, allegedly crashed into the front of Paw Buddies and More, located on West Broadway Avenue.

The collision caused a large portion of the front wall of the business to crumble and damage was done to the front-end of the vehicle.

According to police records, Velazquez was approaching the intersection of West Broadway Avenue and West Third Avenue when the signal turned yellow. He reportedly attempted to stop and slid into the building.

According to police, Velazquez will be issued a citation for speeding too fast for conditions.

Moses Lake Fire Department Chief Tom Taylor said it did not appear that anyone was inside the business at the time of the crash and there did not appear to be any major injuries.

Business owner Desiree D. Mercier said approximately half of the store's inventory was destroyed. She estimates the inventory

damages to be approximately $6,000 to $7,000.

She said she suspects the entire front wall of the building and the carpeting will have to be replaced.

Mercier said a contractor was scheduled to evaluate the damages Tuesday afternoon.

She said staff and the Columbia Basin Rodeo Association assisted in boarding up the front wall and completed the job Monday at approximately 9:30 p.m. The rodeo association owns the damaged building.

Mercier said the business is expected to be reopened within the next few days and customers are advised to use the side door until the repairs are complete.

She said the incident will be handled through insurance companies.

Paw Buddies opened Dec. 12, 2006. The business caters to customers allowing them to stuff their own teddy bear or other animal by hand through the Build-A-Bear Workshop program. Customers can purchase clothing and accessories for the stuffed animals at the business.