Jimmy’s Car Audio, which has served the Auburn/Opelika, AL area for over 30 years, received yet another 2020 surprise when a car smashed through the side of the store on November 17.
Fortunately, no one was hurt, including the driver who apparently suffered a seizure and drove her Honda CRV into Jimmy’s woodshop area. “She is okay,” said store manager Jimmy Willingham. They found no need to take her to the hospital. But the shop has a gaping, car-sized hole in its side.
The store is a member of the Mobile Electronics Specialists of America (MESA) buying group. It remains open and busy. The crash impeded the shop’s ability to do fabrication work, but the showroom and bays are fine. “It hasn’t stopped customers from coming in. A lot of people who came in didn’t even know there was a crash,” said owner Chad Wilbanks, explaining, that the crash occurred off a side parking lot.
On the other hand, a number of customers came in just to find out what happened. “I think we’ve had extra people stopping by just to gape,” said Wilbanks.
He expects insurance will be able to handle much of the damage although this has yet to be determined.
A woman driving on the main road by Jimmy’s Car Audio, just before 8 am, suffered a seizure and crossed several lanes of traffic, hit another car and flipped into the parking lot, eventually crashing through Jimmy’s wall. “I have surveillance video of it. Apparently, they didn’t put on the brake,” said Wilbanks, adding, “I’m thankful it was before opening time. It could have been catastrophic.”
While Jimmy’s Car Audio has been in the same location for decades, Wilbanks purchased it in 2012. The shop carries brands including Kenwood, JL Audio, Rockford, Elettromedia, DS18 and others.
IT’S GREAT THAT CUSTOMERS ARE STILL COMING IN, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THEY HAVE A NEW ENTRANCE! JK!
GLAD ALL ARE SAFE AND UNINJURED.
i thought Avenue Sound invented Drive Thru Installation
HaHa