Groton Police Release Details On Car Vs. Building Crash

GROTON, CT — Police have released more details on a car vs. building crash and related fire over the weekend. Emergency dispatch received several 911 calls Saturday at 12:20 p.m. reporting that a truck had driven through the front entrance of the Northern Lights Smoke Shop at 771 Long Hill Road and that there was heavy smoke coming from the building.

Firefighters arrived at the scene to find that a pickup truck had driven through the front entrance almost to the rear of the store. The truck's driver was Jeremy Coher, 45, of Groton.

Coher resisted firefighters when they attempted to remove him from the truck. Police arrived and entered the store to assist, but Coher resisted them too.

Police said it's believed the crash and Coher's resistance were due to a medical issue. No charges have been filed against Coher.

Coher was treated and later released from Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.

Long Hill Road was closed to traffic until 3:20 p.m. Saturday.

No employees at the store were injured. Two police officers suffered smoke inhalation and were transported to Pequot Health Center for treatment.

Coher's 2004 Toyota Tundra was believed to have been in the store's parking lot just prior to the crash.

The wreck is under investigation. Anyone with information on the case can call Town of Groton police at 860-441-6712.