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Press release from the Eureka Police Department:
Today at about 6:54 a.m. the Eureka Police Department was dispatched to the 500 block of 2nd street on the report of an unknown injury traffic collision which involved a vehicle into a building. Upon arrival Officers located the driver, 51 year old Jeffrey White of Eureka, sitting on the curb. EMS was summoned for White who was bleeding from the face. White appeared to be suffering from an unknown medical issue and was soon transported to the hospital.
A preliminary investigation showed that White was driving his 2007 Chevrolet Suburban westbound on 2nd street when he possibly experienced an unknown medical issue which caused him to lose control of his vehicle. The Suburban drifted left, crossed the eastbound lane of 2nd street, jumped the curb and collided into a large cement garbage can. The garbage can was propelled through the front doors of the Oberon Grill (516 2nd street) causing significant damage to the front of the building. The Suburban continued along the sidewalk and ran over a PG&E owned street light, and then crashed into the vacant building at 514 2nd street, causing significant damage there. One of the metal structural beams at 514 2nd street was sheered off and propelled into the windshield of the Suburban. Fortunately, the beam did not enter the cab of the Suburban.
The roadway and sidewalk was shut down for about two hours while crews worked to clean the debris and remove the vehicle.
Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the collision.
PREVIOUSLY: Accident on Second Street in Old Town