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Security cameras captured the scene as of an out-of-control driver plowed through the front doors of Moore's Hardware just before midnight Friday evening.
The driver responsible for plowing through the front doors of Moore’s Lumber & Hardware and leaving a significant swath of destruction through the store last Friday evening has been arrested, according to officials with the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office.
Carter Ryan Coryell, 21, of Waleska was taken into custody near Clay Creek Road on Tuesday following an investigation into the midnight crash. He was charged with hit-and-run.
“There was a witness that was at the gas station next door at the Golden Pantry,” said Lt. Alan Roach of the LCSO. “… She said [the truck] was traveling up the road at a high rate of speed and lost control. The road was wet at the time and the truck travelled through the parking lot…and through the front doors of the business.”
A violent collision with the building support beam was the only thing that kept the out-of-control Dodge pickup from traveling into the back wall of the store, said manager Melissa Baker.
“He was lucky he didn’t impale himself,” she said, after viewing the security footage of the crash.
The driver reportedly didn’t pause before throwing the truck in reverse and pulling back out into the parking lot and fleeing the scene.
“He told others that he had run off the road into the woods,” said Roach.
A few days later investigators came across footage of the truck just prior to the crash on the Flock camera system.
“The truck was coming down the road and pulling a trailer that was registered to his employer,” said Roach.
After following up on the information, deputies were reportedly able to tie Coryell to the accident.
“When they interviewed him he admitted to everything,” said Roach.
Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said the Flock license plate reading surveillance technology was crucial in the arrest.
“Flock cameras are one of the best technologies that have come along for law enforcement in a long time,” he said. “… It just really helps the investigation and fast tracks the investigation.”
Meanwhile, Baker heard about the accident minutes after it occurred Friday night. And though there was plenty to clean up at her workplace, the popular downtown business barely missed a beat the next day.
“We stayed open as usual,” said Baker. “I just opened an hour late.”