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Mountain Home News

Toddler turns Big Smoke into a drive-thru

Friday, August 6, 2010
Police investigate a vehicle that drove through the front doors of the Big Smoke Friday morning.

A GMC Safari drove through the new front doors of the Big Smoke, 305 American Legion Blvd., Friday morning.

The driver was a little under age.

Jamie Byrd, 25, had stopped at the store and left her vehicle running while she ran in to pick up some items at the business.

While she was inside, her two-year-old, whom she had left in the Safari with her other infant child, got out of his car seat and put the car in gear, causing it to lurch forward through the glass doors and full-lenth window walls of the establishment.

Big Smoke Manager Garry Swatzel said he'd just installed the new glass doors the day before. "The old ones had started to get a little sticky, so after five years I finally had them replaced -- yesterday," he said in frustration.

No one was injured in the accident.

Byrd was issued a citation by city police who investigated the incident.

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  • She should have gotten a ticket for child endangerment. Leaving her two small children in the car while she fuels her addiction, real nice.

    -- Posted by Outof MH on Fri, Aug 6, 2010, at 10:31 AM

  • I would HOPE she got a ticket, it's illegal to leave your children in the car alone like that as well as dangerous.

    -- Posted by ItsJustMeAgain on Fri, Aug 6, 2010, at 11:10 AM

  • So im not understanding how a 2year old can change gears because in most cars (correct me if i am wrong) you have to touch the brake pedal to put the car in drive reverse etc, and for that car to get over that barrier and hit the window with that type of impact wouldnt the gas pedal need to be touched?? but im not expert on this i was just wondering?

    -- Posted by kiwi8913 on Fri, Aug 6, 2010, at 1:20 PM

  • This samething happened here in Kuna a couple of years ago, where the woman left her children in the car and went inside the Dollar Store here. Kids put the car in gear & ran into the building.

    NO WORD OF IT WAS MENTIONED AS SHE WAS THE WIFE OF AN ADA COUNTY DEPUTY. Apparently it wasn't news worry even though the same thing happened in Portland Oregon and the mother received jail time.

    Whats up with that??????????????

    -- Posted by qstar62 on Fri, Aug 6, 2010, at 2:09 PM

  • Wow, can you say CHILD ENDANGERMENT!?!?

    -- Posted by IdahoGirl on Mon, Aug 9, 2010, at 9:36 AM

  • I think big smoke should be responsible for the accident . because they are telling people to leave there children in the car. they are saying children is not allowed in the store anymore .

    i'am sorry i'am not leaving my child in the car jest for a store they will have to deal with me bringing my children in .

    -- Posted by Denise4309 on Wed, Aug 11, 2010, at 11:34 PM

  • Kiwi8913 - When I was 6 yrs old, I was waiting in my parents old 1960s Plymouth Sedan (it was a BIG old car - this was about 1990) and it was running and I was playing with the radio, then I said "I wonder what this stick does?" So I pulled it without touching anything else, and it took off. I hit a parked truck and pushed it up on the sidewalk and if my dad hadn't caught up with the running car, I would've hit a house. So, you don't always have to have your foot on the brake or gas. I actually jumped in the back seat when it started moving. :)

    Also - I agree with what everyone says - I hope she got a major ticket.

    -- Posted by Nictip on Wed, Aug 11, 2010, at 11:55 PM

  • I don't understand how you think this is Big Smokes fault. They sell liquor and tobacco, kids shouldn't be allowed in the store! You would probably bring your kinds to the bar with you if they were allowed in there too. Some people shouldn't have kids....

    -- Posted by Outof MH on Thu, Aug 12, 2010, at 11:27 AM
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