Cleveland business trying to rebuild after alleged drunk driver crashes into building

July 14, 2026 - 05:55

Cleveland police report that a suspected drunk driver lost control of her SUV early Sunday morning, crashing into a small business on the city's west side. The incident occurred just before 3 a.m., leaving the storefront heavily damaged and the owner facing an uncertain path to reopening.

The driver, a woman in her 30s, was taken into custody at the scene. Officers say she showed clear signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. No other injuries were reported, as the business was closed at the time of the crash. However, the structural damage was severe enough that the building was temporarily red-tagged by city inspectors.

The business owner, who has operated the shop for over a decade, described the moment he got the call. "I thought it was a prank at first," he said. "Then I got here and saw the wall was gone." He now faces weeks of cleanup, insurance claims, and lost income. A GoFundMe page has been set up by regular customers, but the owner remains focused on rebuilding. "We are not giving up," he said. "This neighborhood has been good to us, and we will be back."

Police are urging anyone with information about the driver's activities before the crash to come forward. The suspect is expected to face charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, as well as criminal damaging.