Man experiencing mental health crisis drives car into convenience store Monday night

After a vehicle collision a member of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, right, and the Bloomington Police Department, left, help assess damage to the front entrance of a gas station convenience store in the 3300 block of W 3rd Street Monday night. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)

A 23-year-old man having a mental health crisis drove a vehicle into the front of a gas station convenience store Monday night, according to Bloomington Police Department Capt. Ryan Pedigo.

Emergency responders were called around 9:30 p.m. Monday for a disturbance at a gas station convenience store in the 3300 block of W. Third Street. When emergency medical services workers arrived they found a man sitting on the ground near the business next to a gray Honda Civic with front end damage. The glass doors on the front of the business were bent, and the glass had been shattered.

The 23-year-old man was transported to IU Heath Bloomington hospital for injuries sustained in the collision.

A person at the scene told law enforcement the man was their roommate and was experiencing a mental health crisis. The injured man had come to the business to talk because he was upset, then began to destroy items on the soda fountain area. The man then got into a vehicle, and left, but then returned. The man then drove the car into the doors of the convenience store.  

The owner of the business, who is familiar with the man, did not wish to press charges, and told police he’d have a tow company get the car at a later time. A member of the police department went to the hospital to speak to the injured man, who was then left in the care of the hospital for the injuries, and for help for their mental health issues.

At least one member of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the convenience store.

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