Lincoln intersection has a history of cars crashing into businesses

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – After another crash at 27th and Vine streets, businesses there say vehicles crash into their buildings far too often.

Just after midnight Tuesday morning, a pickup truck ran a red light at the intersection, collided with a sedan, hit a traffic pole and crashed through the front of Kohll’s Pharmacy.

Three teens in the pickup and the driver of the sedan were taken to a hospital.

Pharmacist Crysta Naylor said she was surprised by how bad the damage was.

“It was a little crazy,” she said. “I knew there was an accident here, but I didn’t expect there to be so much damage. It’ll probably take quite awhile to get new windows and new double doors, but we are still open.”

Naylor said that while the pharmacy has insurance, it will still take weeks to recover.

“We’re not able to do our vaccinations at this time, so it is affecting that,” she said. “We’re doing our deliveries, filling prescriptions as people need, still doing home medical supplies.”

Naylor said a number of walkers and wheelchairs, which can range from $200 and $600 each, were taken out in the crash.

Across the street at outdoor sports store Moose’s Tooth, owner Julie Sonderup said she’s seen numerous crashes happen when people run the lights or make the turn onto Vine Street too sharply.

She said at least eight people have hit her building.

“You know, a gentleman died one of the times, going to work late in the night,” Sonderup said.

That happened in April 2020, when a man crashed into the building and was pronounced dead at the scene.

SEE ALSO: ‘Truly part of our UNL family’: East Campus employee killed in early morning crash

Then in January 2022, a pickup truck caused $75,000 in damage when it smashed into the store.

Sonderup also said that despite the 35-mph limit, many people go faster.

“Remember, we’re in between two university campuses and close to a middle school and two elementaries,” she said. “There’s always walker traffic; there’s always bike traffic.”

Sonderup is hoping Lincoln Police will increase enforcement in the area, or even conduct campaigns like the O Street traffic enforcement project.

“I know they all want to get somewhere fast, but there’s almost always going to be someone in the path,” she said. “So slow down.”