SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The historic building that houses the library in Shepherdstown was damaged over the holiday weekend when it was struck by a vehicle.
The building, known as the Market House, sustained significant structural damage after being hit by a “large, heavy vehicle,” according to authorities.
“There’s absolutely structural damage,” Hali Taylor, Director of the Shepherdstown Public Library said on Tuesday’s MetroNews ‘Talkline.’ “Whoever hit it, was going at a fairly high speed and caught the corner. The impact against the corner reverberated 10 to 15 feet and the bricks are bulging out now. The paint is broken and the bricks are visible.
“They haven’t dropped out of the walls but they are on their way.”
Shepherdstown police believe the incident happened sometime between July 4 and 6 p.m. and just before 9 a.m. Monday. The building is located on German Street.
The Shepherdstown PD said evidence was recovered from the scene and will be processed.
An area around the library will be closed off until the building can be supported and made safe.
Taylor said it’s devastating to the library because of what the facility already had to endure due to COVID-19.
“I’m pretty devastated. Particularly just having come out of the COVID inability to serve the community,” she said. “We were just getting our sea legs back and getting back into business, letting people into the building. And now this.”
Anyone who witnessed this hit and run or who might have video is asked to contact the Shepherdstown Police Department.
The investigating officer is PFC. Michael “Doc” Moats and can be contacted directly at his work cell, 304-702-2303 or at the Dept. at 304-876-6036, extension 202.
Hali Taylor, Director of the Shepherdstown Public Library, joins @HoppyKercheval to discuss the damage to the historic building from a hit and run driver over the weekend. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nDJuy pic.twitter.com/njaKNsEiUW
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) July 6, 2021