Car rams State Farm building

The car crashed into an office window. A car plowed into the State Farm Insurance building in Weaverville on Saturday, causing no injuries in the unoccupied building but doing considerable damage.

California Highway Patrol spokesman Rob Lichney said Michael Silvers, 36, of Weaverville was driving a Chevy Malibu north on Highway 3 at 12:50 p.m. just before the crash. Silvers told investigators he thinks he fell asleep, Lichney said, and the vehicle ran off the right side of the road.

"Next thing he knows, he's hitting a tree going into a building," Lichney said.

Silvers and a two-monthold baby riding in the car had scratches but were not seriously injured. No alcohol or drugs are believed to be involved, Lichney said.

Fortunately, no one was in the building, said owner Lisabeth Cahill.

"The car ran up the embankment, damaging the landscape curb and taking out several bushes as it flew into the large locust tree, which was about 9 inches in diameter. It took the tree out by the roots and flew it into the building, landing partway into the building with the tree underneath it," Cahill said.

Below is a view of the interior damage. "The wall was dented in about a foot, and the large desk unit that had been against the wall was pushed about three feet into the room, and things in and around it went flying across the room. There was glass everywhere."

Cahill expressed gratitude that Duane and Keith Heryford and Mike Schardin quickly patched the building on Sunday, with final repairs to be made after a new window comes in.

The building was insured. "You better believe it!" Cahill said. She said State Farm Insurance will handle the claim and seek reimbursement from the driver's insurance company, if possible.