Evelyn Vazquez was looking forward to serving customers at her new bakery this weekend, but those plans are on hold after a car crashed through the front door Wednesday evening.
“I’m feeling all kinds of feelings: sad, devastated and stressed,” she said.
Vazquez said it all happened just after 4 p.m. when a car drove through her storefront at Tweedy Boulevard and Otis Street.
“I just heard a big loud bang,” Vazquez said. “I ran outside and saw my mom and the car and started to panic really bad.”
Video from shortly after the crash shows the alleged driver trying to get out of the car as people rushed to help. Vazquez said her mother, who was helping at the store at the time, was injured after she fell and was knocked unconscious.
“She is currently in hospital and stable, but it was a super scary situation for all of us,” she said.
The destruction comes days after Evelyn’s Bakery opened its doors. Vazquez held the grand opening on Saturday – a labor of love for which she quit her job.
“It’s been a lot of work and dedication,” she said. “A lot of money has been invested, leaving my daughter behind and it has been difficult.”
South Gate police have launched an investigation into the crash. Vazquez said insurance will cover some of the repairs, but not the more than $3,000 worth of fresh produce. With the orders due this weekend, she wonders how they will be fulfilled and how much money the small business will have to spend.
“So far we can’t be here because the roof is collapsing, so we will have to close for a few days and that will have a huge impact on us,” Vazquez said.
Lesley Marin
