Van vs Brick Pillar in Front of Bob's Fried Clams in Salem; Two Injured

Photo Credit: Salem Firefighters

A black Ford Econovan crashed into a brick pillar in front of Bob’s Fried Clams around noon Monday in front of 400 Highland Ave.

The driver, Bernard Mkhabela, was outside of the vehicle when authorities arrived. He told officers that he had backed out of a parking spot, and put the van in drive. The man started driving forward, and he told officers, that he went over a small curb, and it felt like he lost control of the van.

Salem Fire, Atlantic Ambulance and the city’s building inspector, also responded.

Two people were transported to area hospitals, according to Salem Firefighters.

The building inspector inspected the damage to the pillar, and determined the structure was safe. The van sustained front-end damage, and was towed. There was a small dent in the building’s window frame.

Mkhabela was cited for failure to use care in starting, stopping, turning.