Leaning Tower Of Strip Joints Finally Replaced Months After Bizarre Crash In Vernon

VERNON, CT — About 17 months after a bizarre crash wrecked the sign in front of Lucky's Cabaret in Vernon, a new one has been put in place.

The rickety sign had become a sort of leaning tower of strip joints at the 65 Windsor Ave. location and was certainly a conversation piece among business owners along that part of Route 83.

On Wednesday, the new sign emerged and ended a saga that goes back to Oct. 29, 2024.

The crash took place in front of several witnesses that were left speechless.

At 1:51 p.m. that day, a 2016 Ram pickup pulled out of Terrace Drive at a high rate of speed and, without slowing down, hopped a curb and a small traffic island and slammed into the Lucky's sign. According to a crash report, it became wedged between the sign pole and guide wires for a utility pole with heavy front end damage.

Staff members from adjacent businesses came running to the aid of a dazed driver.

According to a crash report, police immediately recognized the driver from a call just prior to the crash. The officer knew the driver did not have a license. He was living at the Park West apartment complex off Terrace Drive.

At the scene, the driver promptly told the officer he lost control of the pickup truck that he had recently inherited, according to a crash report. The truck featured a powerful V-8 engine, police said.

The truck also ran over a "no parking" sign on Windsor Avenue prior to hitting the Lucky's sign.

The driver refused medial attention at the scene, and was charged with driving without a license, driving without insurance and failure to drive right, according to a crash report.