Police: Elderly driver crashes into Clearwater Post Office

CLEARWATER, Fla. - When Cynthia Garrison came to the post office to mail Christmas packages, a huge hole in the building is not what she expected to see.

Parts of a car, broken glass and crushed P.O boxes set the scene.

"I'm thinking somebody really really wanted to get their packages delivered for Christmas," said Garrison.

The lobby of Clearwater's main Post Office received an unwanted visitor Saturday morning.

Investigators say  at  8 a.m, Masako Niemeier pulled into the post office, went to brake, but instead hit the gas and kept on going.

"It's an accident and those happen and we're just glad everyone is safe and we can still operate," said postmaster Doug Fiedler.

Garrison believed she had a guardian angel watching out for her this Christmas season. She had originally planned on getting here earlier.

She could of been standing right where Niemeier's Toyota crashed.

"When I get here and see this I was like okay that is why I was running late. I didn't need to be apart of the drive thru," said Garrison.

The cleanup has already begun. No one was hurt, but Clearwater Police estimated the damage at twenty thousand dollars.

Postmaster Dough Fiedler said, despite the mess, no packages will be delayed and they won't turn anyone away.

And it turned out after Niemeier's car was pulled out she went inside and mailed her own presents.

"I mean her family needs to know she really really loves them no matter what she was going to get those gifts off," said Garrison.

Thankfully the post office had not yet opened for the day, and no customers were inside at the time.

Police say this was just an accident and Niemeier is not facing any charges.

United States Postal Service officials say repairs will begin immediately, and that the branch will remain open for business.