Van crashes into Liquor Mart

 A Knox County woman whose minivan smashed into Liquor Mart Thursday morning, told police she blacked out seconds before the crash.

Eighty-six-year-old Elsie Hoskins of Arjay was reportedly pulling up to the side of the building in the Trademart Shopping Center just after 11 a.m. in her Chrysler minivan.

The vehicle failed to stop and smashed through the wall, shattering a glass window and damaging or destroying numerous cases of Busch Beer.

“I was in the back and when I heard the crash, I thought our cooler had caved in,” said Liquor Mart Manager Tyler Lewis.

Hoskins, who does have a valid driver’s license, along with her two passengers, was able to get out of the vehicle on her own. Knox County EMS responded to the scene. However, Hoskins refused transport to the hospital.

No one inside the store was injured.

Dale Chaffin, the property owner, estimated the damage to the building at approximately $10,000. He said the damage is easily fixable.

Corbin firefighters also responded to the scene and worked to clear debris, including the broken glass and cases and cans of beer.

The van was towed from the scene.