Kranich’s Jewelers store on North Atherton Street struck by car

A car crashed into Kranich’s Jewelers on North Atherton Street on Friday morning.

No one was injured in the crash, which happened at about 10:45 a.m., but the building, at 2020 N. Atherton St., suffered structural damage.

“It was very loud, like a bomb went off,” said Kranich’s President Charles Kranich.

Initial fears that the incident might have been theft-related were allayed when it was determined to be an accident.

Patton Township police Sgt. Sean Albright said Joan Thomson, 72, of Warriors Mark, was parking beside the store when she pushed the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal, driving her gold Subaru Outback into the building, breaking through a rear door and fracturing the surrounding wall.

The vehicle sustained front-end damage.

“Obviously, like with any accident, the only important thing is that no one was hurt,” said Kranich. “She’s a very nice lady.”

Kranich’s relocated to the North Atherton location from Nittany Mall in 2012. It also has a downtown State College store, which opened in 1976.

Lori Falce can be reached at 235-3910. Follow her on Twitter @LoriFalce.

This story was originally published May 9, 2014 at 10:59 AM with the headline "Kranich’s Jewelers store on North Atherton Street struck by car."