Man, 46, dies after crashing into downtown Athens building
Athens truck collision causes building collapse
A 46-year-old man died after crashing a pickup truck into a historic 1889 downtown Athens building that houses Magnolias Bar, triggering a partial structural collapse and extended street closures after fleeing an initial police response.
ATHENS, Ga. - A 46-year-old man died Wednesday morning after crashing his vehicle into a historic building in downtown Athens, shortly after police responded to a mental health call involving him, authorities confirmed.
The crash happened along East Broad Street, damaging a building that houses Magnolias Bar and Republic Salon.
What we know:
According to police, officers were called to a mental health incident around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Washington and Jackson streets in downtown Athens.
Police said the man was inside a vehicle when he drove away from the location.
Officers did not pursue him, according to the police chief.
A short time later, the man's vehicle crashed into a building along East Broad Street, approximately two blocks from the initial police response.
Authorities confirmed that he died as a result of the crash.
The collision caused extensive damage to the building, sending bricks and other debris onto the street and around the vehicle.
The property owner told FOX 5 Atlanta that the building dates to 1882.
The building is home to Magnolia Bar and Republic Salon, two downtown Athens businesses.
The vehicle was removed from the scene following the crash, but significant damage remained visible around a window and the building's exterior brickwork.
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Witness describes aftermath of crash
What they're saying:
A University of Georgia student who came to the scene described seeing the damaged vehicle and debris scattered around the building.
"Okay, so the truck in the building and now they've been able to remove the truck. But I didn't see anyone get out of it or anything," the student said.
"I just saw the aftermath when the rubble was all over. The rubble was all over the truck."
The student also expressed concern for the businesses affected by the crash.
"I feel terrible about Magnolias and I'm sorry that this has happened, but I hope they can recover."
Police have not released additional details about the circumstances of the initial mental health call or what caused the man to crash into the building.
It is also unclear whether anyone inside the businesses was injured or whether the damage will prevent them from reopening.
Crews were assessing the structural damage to the building around midday Wednesday.
Police previously closed East Broad Street between College Avenue and North Thomas Street while emergency crews responded. It was not immediately clear when the affected section of the road would reopen.
Authorities are expected to release additional information as the investigation continues.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated since publication. Additionally, although police have released the man's name and FOX 5 Atlanta originally reported his name, it has been removed from the written story. FOX 5 and most media outlets do not report on fatal incidents that are possibly self-inflicted unless someone else is harmed during the incident.