This story was updated at 4:30 PM.
The Springfield Fire Department has cordoned off both the Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop and the adjoining Sterling Tax at 1700 South MacArthur Boulevard after a car smashed into the front of the building.
At approximately 12:15 PM on Tuesday, a vehicle drove around to the front of the Baskin-Robbins from the rear parking lot. SPD reports that the driver apparently lost control while arriving at one of the front parking spots and drove into one of the main supports of the structure. Traffic along the street was closed for a period after emergency services arrived at the scene, but resumed not long after.
The collision brought the building down with several people inside the business. Incredibly, Springfield Fire Department Deputy Division Chief Bryce McCormick confirmed to WMAY that none of the half-dozen or so individuals within either the Baskin-Robbins or Sterling were hurt; the driver and a small child in the minivan were taken to to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Baskin-Robbins roof collapse from 06/17/25 (Credit; Rocki; WNNS)
The structure itself, however, is completely devastated. The premises were cordoned off and by 3:30, a fence was installed around the building. It is now planned to be demolished.
“The longer it goes without collapsing, the closer it is to collapsing,” said Deputy Chief McCormick.
For a vehicle crash to bring down an entire building is an extremely unusual occurrence, McCormick explained. “[I’ve seen it] twice in ten years. There was a little when I first started, but in the last decade, not very often.”
Baskin-Robbins roof collapse from 06/17/25 (Credit; Rocki; WNNS)
Baskin-Robbins roof collapse from 06/17/25 (Credit; Rocki; WNNS)
