Metro

BMW crashes through store window

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A BMW crashed into the front of Saifee Hardware and Garden store.
A BMW crashed into the front of Saifee Hardware and Garden store.Warzer Jaff
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The injured driver and a passenger were taken to Bellevue Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The injured driver and a passenger were taken to Bellevue Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Warzer Jaff
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The injured driver of the BMW being carried in to an ambulance.
The injured driver of the BMW being carried in to an ambulance.Warzer Jaff
Firefighters and other officials assess the scene of the crash.
Firefighters and other officials assess the scene of the crash.Warzer Jaff
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A Saifee worker cleans up after the scene of the crash is cleared.
A Saifee worker cleans up after the scene of the crash is cleared. Warzer Jaff
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A BMW crashed into a parked van and then careened into an East Village ‎hardware store Monday afternoon, authorities and witnesses said.

The BMW was headed north on 1st Avenue near East 7th Street just after 4 p.m. when the driver struck an idle white van, witnesses said.

“‎The BMW hit a truck, lost control and swerved,” said Rupak Pradhan, manager of Saifee Hardware and Garden.
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“‎I heard a big bang and squeaking tires,” Pradhan said.

The luxury car then hurtled through the window of the home-improvement store, but miraculously no workers or customers were injured.

“‎We ran into the end of the shop,” said shaken shopper Tatyana Murray, 40. “I thought it was a truck. I ‎thought I was going to die.”

Executive manager Mike Taheraly said, “‎We are lucky the plants out front took most of the impact,” noting that about $15,000 in merchandise was destroyed.

The BMW driver and a passenger were taken to Bellevue with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Witnesses claimed the BMW was speeding, but authorities said there was no criminality in the smash-up.