Box truck slams through the side of Ambridge distribution business

Two people were taken to the hospital after a truck slammed through the side of a business in Beaver County.

Harmony Township police said that the driver of the truck was coming down the hill around 6:45 a.m. when he said he lost his brakes, honking his horn to warn people. It was then that he crashed through the side of the Ambridge Regional Distribution and Manufacturing Center along Duss Avenue.

The truck plowed through the wall of the business, leaving behind a mangled trail of debris.

"It's a real steep hill and if you don't pay attention or know the road, you could easily lose your brakes," said Ron Miskulin. "This is busy. There are school buses here in the morning going to Ambridge school. He would've never been able to stop and miss cars going by here."

Police said a man and woman were inside the truck and that both of them were sent to the hospital, fortunately only with minor injuries. Nobody inside the building was hurt, but major damage was left to be cleaned up. In a statement, Ambridge Regional Distribution and Manufacturing Center said in part that it's thankful for the quick action of first responders, adding the "safety and well-being of our tenants, employees and visitors remain our top priority." 

"It's scary," said Eleanor Sweed. "The first thing I thought about was my daughter. She is a truck driver and anything can happen like this. Or from the way it looks like, maybe he lost his brakes coming down the hill and crashed into the building."

Pennsylvania State Police troopers are expected to conduct a complete inspection to determine what led up to the crash.