(LaCrosse, IN) - A teenager behind the wheel of her boyfriend’s truck plowed into LaCrosse Town Hall, which sustained hefty damage in the crash.

 

Emergency responders were called to the building at 13 North Washington Street just after 9 p.m. on Saturday.

According to La Porte County Police, the damage included broken glass, broken wall fascia, and exposed framing studs. In addition, the front of the building was pushed in about three feet.

 

The obviously shaken driver, Taylor Kleine, 19, of LaCrosse, said she was turning from Main Street onto Washington Street when the 2007 Dodge Ram accelerated suddenly, and she lost control of the vehicle, police said.

 

Evidence like tire tracks at the scene backed up her explanation of how the collision occurred, police said. 

 

Investigators blamed the crash on Kleine not being prepared to handle her boyfriend's more powerful vehicle after being used to driving smaller cars with less horsepower.

 

Police described the damage to the building as severe and estimated the loss at $50,000.