CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Video footage shows a car smashing into a southwest Charlotte martial arts studio Saturday afternoon, nearly hitting the students inside.
It happened at Leadership Martial Arts in Steele Creek.
In the video below, the car can be seen smashing through the wall, sending chairs and debris flying, landing just feet away from the students.
The martial arts studio said no students or staff were hurt. MEDIC said the driver had minor injuries.
This browser does not support the video element.
A massive hole could be seen in the wall.
The studio’s owner, Derek Richardson, said they were in the middle of a class when the crash happened, but everyone was on the other side of the room when the car came through.
“Man, it was like an act of grace that saved everybody. Normally, on a normal Saturday, we might have parents standing in the viewing area right here. The car cleared almost all of the chairs out, as you can see in the video,” Richardson said.
Richardson said the studio will be closed until at least Thursday due to the damage to the building.
“It’s an unexpected event to be in the middle of a lesson and then to suddenly have a car inside your building,” Richardson said.
Even though his business is damaged, Richardson is staying positive. His students decorated the plywood, which now covers the big hole, with jokes and positive statements.
[ ALSO READ: 1 dead, 3 injured after vehicle crashes into Savannah post office ]
“I don’t know if it was good luck or good fortune or divine intervention, but the situation was handled really well,” he said.
Police said the driver was driving recklessly and lost control. They have not identified the driver or the exact charges they may face.
Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.