Crash damaged Listowel, Ont. business plans to reopen next week
When a tractor trailer crashed into the front doors of two downtown Listowel, Ont. businesses on Friday, Matthew and Tammy Cressey’s phones started to light up.
“I just saw debris, and carnage. I look over and there’s a transport truck in my restaurant,” says Matthew.
The owners of Diana Sweets Diner, which has been in Listowel’s downtown for over 100 years, say they expected the worst after a transport truck careened off Listowel’s Main Street, and into their front doors and a neighbouring storefront.
But early indications are their building is safe, and Diana Sweets may actually re-open Monday.
“The truck was holding the structure up, so the biggest fear was, when they pulled the truck out, everything was going to fall, and it didn’t. So, we’re kind of in the best-case scenario of a crappy situation,” says Tammy.
The crash itself has reignited a decades-long discussion about a truck bypass in Listowel, to direct transport trucks away from the downtown.
Todd Kasenberg, mayor of the Municipality of North Perth, says a Transportation Master Plan study is coming before North Perth council in the next few months and a commercial bypass will be discussed.
“This council is determined, at least, to hear about how a commercial bypass could be constructed, the appropriate pathways for it, and ultimately what the cost will be. And we’re fairly committed, from my interactions with my fellow council colleagues, to get this done,” says Kasenberg.
Police tape blocks the area after a transport truck crashed into a building on Main Street in Listowel, Ont. on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. (Scott Miller / CTV News)
The Cresseys remain hopeful they can reopen on Monday, and are thankful they were in COVID-19 lockdown at the time of the crash so there was no one in the restaurant when the transport abruptly stopped by.
“The most tears I’ve shed have been because of the kindness and support that we’ve been shown. This is why you live in a small town. This is why you fight for these diners to stay open through COVID,” says Tammy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.