Car crashes into the office of attorney John Nichols, driver taken to hospital

TERRE HAUTE â€" Terre Haute attorney John Nichols’ late lunch and run at the Heritage Trail on Thursday afternoon may have saved his life.

While he was gone, a multi-car accident at Third and Ohio streets caused one of the vehicles to crash through a wall where Nichols’ office is located on the south side of the Anderson and Nichols law building, located at 300 Ohio St.

The crash sent the driver to the hospital and damaged Nichol’s office and some personal belongings. Fortunately, he was not in it at the time.

The building also houses recruiting offices for the Navy, Marines and Air Force.

Attorney Joe Anderson, co-owner of the building with Nichols, said an electrician and city building inspector would be looking at the building to ensure its safety. Power was turned off, and the law office and recruiting offices temporarily closed.

The car hit the building’s south side along Ohio Street, near a sign that says, “Anderson and Nichols, injury attorneys.”

“I’m going to move my office to an interior wall,” Nichols said.

At the time of the crash, Anderson was in his office signing a check. He heard the crash, looked over and “I saw stuff flying through the air.”

The law office has two attorneys and four other staff.

Terre Haute police say two people involved in the three-vehicle accident were injured. Names and conditions were not immediately available.

No one inside the building was hurt, Anderson said. Occupants of the building had to evacuate while a tow truck pulled the car out of the building; there was some concern the building might collapse.

Police say one vehicle was going south on Third and making a left turn onto Ohio, and another car was northbound on Third Street; both had green lights. The driver of the southbound vehicle believed she had time to make the turn, and was hit by the northbound vehicle.

The driver of the northbound vehicle, a GMC Jimmy, fled the scene, police said.

Indiana State Police assisted.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.