Car crashes into Tower District business in Fresno; latest hardship for owner
A driver fleeing from police crashed into another car, then through the front of a Tower District antique shop, causing extreme damage to the building and merchandise inside.
George Huddleston has owned Palm Olive Antiques for the past eight years, and the crash was the latest in a series of hardships he has faced as a business owner in the area.
“This is major for me,” he said of the crash.
On Thursday evening, Huddleston spent a sleepless night beginning the taxing cleanup process from the crash.
Photos he shared on social media show the cars smashed into the front of the antique shop, with the front end of one vehicle entirely inside the store.
On top of his own misfortune, Henderson expressed concern for the loss of some items owned by merchants that sell in the space.
Inside the shop, a great deal of vintage goods have been destroyed, most uncovered by insurance, he said.
This is not the first time crime has impacted Henderson’s business.
Over the years, he has installed extra security measures, including an additional gate for the parking lot and chain link.
“The homeless situation seems to be getting better right now,” he said. “But eight years of it was pretty much too much.”
Plus, a bus stop was installed directly in front of the antique shops storefront, elimination six or seven parking spaces, he said.
On Palm and Olive, traffic can become so backed up, customers have a hard time entering and exiting the parking lot, Henderson said, creating what he believes to be a dangerous intersection.
“I consider what they (the city) have done is box me in,” Henderson said.
Despite the issues, he’s determined to move forward from the crash.
“I’m going to hang in there,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of support from the community.”
How did the crash happen?
In the evening hours of Sept 11, officers responded to two reports of “disturbance” near Yale and West avenues.
While the police were on the scene investigating the second call, a vehicle involved in the earlier incident returned. Those who reported the vehicle believed the occupants were armed.
Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver wouldn’t stop, according to police. Shortly after, they found the suspect vehicle had collided with another one at Palm and Olive avenues.
The driver of the suspect vehicle was a juvenile and hospitalized for medical treatment, according to police. Officers found two loaded firearms in the vehicle.
This story was originally published September 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM.