LYNN — A Lynn man crashed his Jeep into a long-vacated storefront at 8:48 a.m. Tuesday on Exchange Street.
The Charlie’s Junction Deli storefront, which is located at 65 Exchange St. and owned by Nhai Cao, has been closed since 2020.
According to Lynn Police, the operator of the motor vehicle, Felipe Bello Soto, said he was traveling eastbound on Exchange Street to make a delivery at One Mighty Mill, located at 68 Exchange St., which is across the street from the crash site.
But when Bello Soto arrived on Exchange Street, according to Lynn Police, he stated that he lost control of the vehicle due to the brakes not working when he attempted to use them.
The police report explained that this “caused his vehicle to veer to the left, jumping the sidewalk and ultimately striking the front (facade) of Charlie’s Junction Deli… causing extreme front-end damage to his vehicle and extreme damages to the facade of Charlie’s Junction Deli (front glass panes and cement foundation).”
No airbags were deployed upon impact, something many officers were dumbfounded by.
Upon arrival, Lynn Police asked Bello Soto if he needed any medical attention, to which he declined.
Lynn Fire and Inspectional Service Department personnel arrived at 9:22 a.m. to check the integrity of the building, G&J Towing arrived shortly after to remove the Jeep from the scene, and Action Emergency Management took charge boarding up the building’s facade.
