A Wilmington, Ohio Sunoco gas station is shut indefinitely after a woman blacked out behind the wheel, slammed into a support pole, and triggered a partial awning collapse.
At a Glance
- A 2016 Buick LeSabre struck a pole at the Sunoco on Jan. 11 just after noon
- The driver told police she choked on a french fry and lost consciousness
- A parked car was also hit; no injuries were reported
- Why it matters: A routine snack turned a midday stop into a costly structural disaster
The driver, whose name has not been released, told News Of Los Angeles affiliate WLWT 5 that she has a recurring dry spot in her throat that causes choking episodes. While eastbound on Rombach Avenue, she began to choke on the fry, blacked out, and careened off the road.
Crash Sequence
According to the Wilmington Police Department crash report:
- 12:07 p.m. – Buick drifts across the lot and clips a parked vehicle
- Moments later – Car strikes the pole supporting the station’s canopy
- Seconds after – Metal awning buckles, sending debris across pumps
An eyewitness told WXIX the impact sounded “like a dumpster dropped from the roof,” followed by the screech of twisting metal. Surveillance video reviewed by News Of Los Angeles shows the Buick pushing the parked car sideways before the pole buckles.
Aftermath and Repairs
Responding units from the Wilmington Fire Department immediately cordoned off the area and called in a building inspector. City officials have:
- Red-tagged the fuel island
- Shut off power to all pumps
- Barricaded the entrance with cones and caution tape
A sign posted at the lot reads “Closed until further notice.” The station operator declined to estimate a reopening date, citing ongoing structural evaluations.
Driver Cited
Police issued a citation for failure to control the vehicle. No criminal charges have been announced. The woman told investigators she regained consciousness only after airbags deployed and does not remember the collision itself.
Key Takeaways
- A single distracted moment led to property damage exceeding tens of thousands of dollars
- The incident shows how quickly routine medical issues-like choking-can become roadway hazards
- Structural inspections could keep the station closed for weeks, affecting local fuel supply
