Candy store owner will rebuild

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) - The owner of a candy store seriously damaged Thursday evening after a car slammed into the front said it's a miracle his son only received minor injuries and he came out unscathed.

Nick Hindy's store, Candy from Heaven , was named for his daughter, who died of cancer nearly 13 years ago.

In the crash, "everything was moved, crushed, except for three angels that are on the counter right here, representing Lori," he said.

The car, driven by Lionel Messier, smashed into the store just before 6 p.m. Thursday. Messier said he was trying to avoid another vehicle.

"All of a sudden, I see somebody coming through a stop sign on Downes Street," Messier told Eyewitness News. "I kept trying to avoid him, went to my left, kept going to my left, and I went through the building."

Tenants in the homes above the store compared the crash to an earthquake.

"I was actually just getting out of bed, and it actually just threw me to the floor," said Mike Ross.

Hindy said he would rebuild the store, and said his son, Jay, is recovering from his injuries.