Driver strikes downtown building in Greenfield

Greenfield Fire Department members talk with the driver of a car that jumped the curb on Main Street taking out a parking meter and damaging the Franklin County Community Justice Support Center in Greenfield on Monday.

Greenfield Fire Department members talk with the driver of a car that jumped the curb on Main Street taking out a parking meter and damaging the Franklin County Community Justice Support Center in Greenfield on Monday. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

A driver jumped the curb on main street taking out a parking meter and damaging the Franklin County Community Justice Support Center in Greenfield on Monday.

A driver jumped the curb on main street taking out a parking meter and damaging the Franklin County Community Justice Support Center in Greenfield on Monday. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

Staff Writer

Published: 03-03-2025 3:19 PM

GREENFIELD — A man driving a Toyota SUV caused minor damage to the Franklin County Community Justice Support Center after he crashed into the 106 Main St. property on his way to a doctor’s appointment Monday morning.

Greenfield Police and firefighters responded to the scene at approximately 11:20 a.m. where the vehicle was found on the sidewalk with its hood propped open and parts of its front bumper shattered. Department of Public Works employees also responded to the scene to inspect the building for damage.

Although an ambulance was called, Fire Capt. Alex Cooley said the driver left the vehicle and entered the neighboring Community Health Center for a doctor’s appointment before he could be evaluated by EMS. Cooley said the driver denied feeling any head, neck or back pain and did not lose consciousness.

“He went inside for his doctor’s appointment,” Cooley said at the crash scene. “That was his main concern — it was ‘Do you think I can still make it to my doctor and dentist appointment at 11:30 a.m.’ He doesn’t want to be looked at by an ambulance and he went inside before he could even sign anything.”

Cooley said that Building Inspector Mark Snow would further assess the building’s damage and safety status. Greenfield Police Officer Patricia West said she believed the crash was caused by the driver mistakenly stepping on the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal.

“I think he was just trying to park,” West said. “He probably jumped the curb instead of putting on the brake — that’s my guess.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.

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