Good Samaritan Rescues Driver and Assists Business Recovery After Destructive Collision with Florida Consignment Shop – Action News Jax

A consignment shop in Pinellas County, Florida, is facing a significant setback after an SUV crashed into the store, causing extensive damage. Fortunately, a Good Samaritan was able to rescue the driver from the vehicle before it caught fire. The eyewitness, who happened to be passing by after work, saved the driver just moments before flames engulfed the SUV and the front of Christina Valley’s Second-Time-Around Consignment Shop.

The incident occurred around 4 a.m., and Christina, the shop owner, was unaware of the situation until she received an alert from her alarm company. She initially checked her security cameras, which appeared to show everything was fine, so she went back to sleep. It was only when she woke up at 6 a.m. and saw multiple missed calls from the sheriff’s office that she realized something had happened.

When Christina arrived at the scene, both the driver and the Good Samaritan had already left, but the damage remained. The SUV had crashed through a concrete beam, shattered the glass window and door, and caused destruction to the other side of the shop as well. Vendors like Ann Hardenbrook, who rented booths in the shop, had their products ruined by the accident.

Despite the setback, this is not the first time the shop has faced adversity, and Christina remains determined. With the help of the community, they worked tirelessly to clean up and reopen the business within a day. By Monday, the shop was back up and running, ready to serve customers.

Christina emphasizes that her shop has been a strong presence in the community for 35 years and is confident that they will overcome this setback as well. Meanwhile, the 28-year-old driver of the SUV sustained non-life-threatening injuries and has been taken to the hospital and then booked into the Pinellas County Jail.