Car Crashes into Cranberry Yankee Candle Store

This article was written and reported by Editor Jessica Sinichak

Manager Allison Vinay said she was tidying up the Yankee Candle store in the Streets of Cranberry shopping center around 7:30 p.m. Monday evening when she heard what sounded like an engine revving up.

“We just heard this screeching noise,” she said.

Seconds later, a car came crashing through the glass front of the store.

Vinay, who was with another employee and a customer, said no one was injured inside the store. The 59-year-old driver, of Mars, also was uninjured. 

Sgt. Chuck Mascellino the driver, who was the only one in the car, caught her sandal in the gas pedal, causing the vehicle to accelerate over the sidewalk and into the building.

"Her foot slipped off the brake and hit the accelerator," he said. 

The woman’s Nissan Maxima also struck the outside wall of the store, causing the brick foundation to crumble. 

Vinay said she was relieved no on was hurt in the crash. 

The Yankee Candle store will be closed at least for Tuesday, she said. As of Monday night, a worker was in the process of the boarding up the store’s window.

“I think I’m still in shock,” Vinay said.

Mascellino said he was unsure if charges would be filed against the driver in the crash.