RIPTA bus crash destroys two businesses

January 26, 2016 4:45 pm

By News Staff

Reporting by Rebecca Turco

rturco@abc6.com

After a RIPTA bus crashed into two businesses in Warwick Monday night, two passengers remain in critical condition, while the owners of the stores are trying to salvage what’s left.

Caution tape surrounds the area of 1190 Post Road where the building is still standing after its roof collapsed following the crash. The two business owners were let in early Tuesday to take what they could from the rubble.

One store owner is in disbelief now that his livelihood has become a hazard zone.

"It’s 15 years of my life. It started off small and grew into a really thriving business, and in five seconds, it’s all gone," says George Zervas, of Rhode Island Paintball and Airsoft.

The RIPTA bus crashed into his building, pummeling through an adjoining car assessory store, The Driver’s Seat. The impact knocked items off the walls of his paintball store, even cracking a concrete wall furthest from the crash.

"To see that, you have to believe that the force was incredible in order for something like that to happen," says Zervas.

Investigators believe the driver may have had a medical emergency before the crash, and do not believe drugs or alcohol were involved.

The building in fenced off, surrounded by caution tape while workers clean up the area, leaving Zervas to salvage what he can and clear out.

"I still have a lot of my stuff but I just don’t have anywhere to sell it now. Off to storage it goes," he says, still feeling optimistic. "Just trying to figure out a plan B," he adds. "People are going to be alright, and that’s what’s important. Everything else can be rebuilt."