Update w/Video: Unlicensed Driver Careens Into Businesses

Update 12:14 p.m. An 18-year-old male, Scottie Ramirez, from West Haven careened into Justice Just for Girls! storefront in Branhaven Plaza at 1075 West Main St., after allegedly avoiding a vehicle stopped infront of his car and mistaking the gas for the brake.*

The driver does not have a license and was charged with driving without a license and reckless driving. Captain Geoffrey Morgan said the driver had a learner’s permit from New York but had been living in Connecticut for some time.

No one was injured during the accident.

The car was decorated with a set of reindeer antlers for the holiday season.

At 10:18 a.m., Chief Shaun Heffernan reported that Branford Police were notified of the car hitting the building. When police and fire officials arrived, they found a black Toyota Corolla on the sidewalk and the front left window of Justice Just for Girls! completely smashed in.

The neighboring business, Radio Shack sustained some damage as well. The neighboring business to the right, which was GAP and is now an empty storefront, did not appear to sustain any damage. The column infront of Justice did sustain damage.

Both stores will be closed until Anthony Cinicola can come down and survey the scene. Heffernan, filling in this morning for Cinicola, noted that the broken windows need to be boarded up but the businesses should open this afternoon. The managers from the stores were present but could not comment about the incident. The driver of the vehicle also declined comment.

The vehicle, which was in fair shape, was towed to . The driver was released from police custody at the scene. 

*The original report stated that the driver was trying to avoid a pedestrian, through investigation, Police found this not to be accurate.