Driver blacks out after energy drink, crashes into library causing extensive damage

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (WSBT) — The Michigan City Public Library is closed to repair damage caused by a pick-up truck crashing through the fiberglass exterior building.

According to Michigan City Police, the Sunday morning collision happened when the driver, Blake Skoda, was stopped at a traffic light at U.S. 12.

The 42-year-old told investigators he took a sip from an energy drink, felt tightness in his chest and blacked out.

After losing consciousness, police said it appears Skoda stomped on the gas pedal, sending his 2017 Dodge Ram straight across all four lanes of U.S. 12 and into the north side of the building facing the highway.

Library Director Don Glossinger said the vehicle came to a stop after running into multiple heavy shelves of books and damaging a study room and conference room.

Fortunately, Glossinger said the library is closed on Sunday’s, because that area of the library is typically heavily used during regular business hours.

“There would have been people in that vicinity,” he said.

Skoda told investigators his vehicle was inside the building after regaining consciousness.

He and his 11-year old son, Evan, were transported by ambulance to Franciscan Health hospital with minor injuries.

Glossinger said they hope to reopen the library on April 7.

In addition to a general clean-up, Glossinger said the hole in the outside wall was covered with plywood, but a piece of fiberglass cut to specs will be ordered and installed for a permanent repair.

Glossinger said about one-third of the damaged rooms will have to be fixed but will be cordoned off before the library reopens to keep patrons away from those spaces until they’re reconstructed.

Repairs will also have to be made to damaged areas of the heating and cooling system.

Glossinger said he wasn’t sure how long it’ll take to fix all of the damage but feels it will be an extended period with the cost to be covered by insurance.

“It’ll take some time to get it all put back,” he said.