Sandpoint post office reopens after crash

SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint post office is open for business.

"Mail delivery is unaffected, and the office is open for business as usual, customers can pick up and drop off mail, buy stamps, etc.," Kim Frum, strategic communications specialist, said in an email Monday.

Crews quickly responded Saturday night to board up the damaged wall where a car crashed into the building earlier that afternoon and, at 8:30 a.m.. Monday, the post office reopened the building to the public.

Sandpoint post office officials said needed repairs are being determined through an internal facilities team.

"The Postal Service is waiting for a repair estimate and there is no timeline available for when repairs will begin," Frum said.

The building was closed over the weekend after a driver mistook their vehicle's gas pedal for the brakes while pulling into a spot in the post office parking lot. 

While the driver was taken to the hospital as a precaution, a Sandpoint Police officer said Saturday indications are that the individual suffered no life-threatening injuries in the crash.

Sandpoint Police Officer Marcus Bentley said a pillar for an overhang to the post office building was knocked down in the crash, which forced the closure of the building. While the lobby was closed, there were some post office employees in the building at the time of the crash, which happened about 2:30 p.m.

Post office crews were en route by 3:30 p.m. to assess the structure and to board up the building, which suffered an unknown degree of damage in the crash. In addition to the support beam for the overhang being pushed down, the car ended up partway into the building, shattering several glass panels and stopping near where customers pick up mail or drop off packages at the front counter.