WHEATON-GLENMONT, Md. — A Metrobus crashed into a jewelry store in Montgomery County Thursday morning, sending three people to the hospital.
Authorities were called to the Wheaton Jewelry Buyers at 2575 Ennallis Avenue for a report of a vehicle into building just before 10 a.m. Witnesses said a white van with two people inside side-swiped the bus before it went off the road and crashed into the store.
No one was inside the store at the time of the crash, according to firefighters. Three people, including the bus driver, were taken to the hospital with injuries they are expected to survive, Montgomery County Police said. The bus was empty, except for the driver, at the time of the crash.
Montgomery County Technical Rescue Teams were on the scene to make sure the store remains standing following the crash. The county will likely bring in subcontractors to help secure the structure, firefighters said.
"It was a big boom sound," witness Abdul Alimson said. "This was like a miracle from God because honestly speaking, most of the time people are standing over there, and she definitely would've crushed everybody there."
Alimson called 911 and tended to the occupants of the white van and the bus driver. He said everyone was shocked and emotional, including the bus driver.
"She was limping getting out," Alimson recalled. "She said she was okay but started crying. She was overwhelmed. She was in shock."
Business owner Ana Rosales said she was running late because of a doctor's appointment. She arrived to find a large scene with medics, firefighters and police.
"In my case there was no one but in other times, there are customers inside, my brother, my mom, because it's a family business," Rosales said.
Rosales has owned the jewelry store for 12 years. She is working to salvage customer merchandise and will rely on insurance.
"It's super sad and super devastating," Rosales said. "That's all my life's work."
Councilmember Evan Glass posted a photo to his Twitter page showing the scene of the crash.
Police shut down Veirs Mill Road between Reedie Drive and University for the crash investigation.
Here is a live look at the scene from Sky9: