Car crashes into downtown La Crosse building, breaks gas line, closes street

Accident cause still under investigation. 

The minivan crashed into the front window at the former Fat Sam’s restaurant at just before 11 Wednesday morning.

The vehicle hit a gas line during the crash, and firefighters worked to get the gas turned off before they could remove the car from the building.

La Crosse fire department spokesman, Lieutenant Shane Trussoni said crews had to dig under the street to cut off the natural gas.

A situation not without concerns, said Trussoni.

“It could have been very serious,” said Trussoni, “it was a very flammable atmosphere right away.”

The fire department recovered a male driver from the van.  He apparently was the only on inside.

The driver’s condition has not been released.

A cause of the accident has not been determined.  

The restaurant space is currently vacant.