State snowplow hits building on Main

A state snowplow truck went out of control on Main Street in Colfax Saturday night and struck the end of the AAG Insurance building in the 400 block of S. Main. The plow driver, Robert L. Sillonis, 50, Colfax, was not injured. The office building was unoccupied at the time of the accident.

According to the State Patrol report, Sillonis was driving the 2003 International plow northbound at 8:45 p.m. when he was stricken by a coughing fit. The plow truck crossed the oncoming lane, went through fences and tables in front of the Daily Grind, grazed that building and then hit the end of the insurance office building.

A Colfax fire crew was called to the scene. The collision broke off water lines and water went into the basement of the building.

AAG plans to locate to temporary quarters while the building is repaired. The Daily Grind resumed full operation although the front tables and fencing are gone.

The Main Street accident was among 61 reported to troopers between 5 a.m. Nov. 24 and 5 a.m. Monday. Of that total, 14 involved damage level in the reportable classification, and 30 were non-reportable. Troopers were unable to locate 17 of the accidents.

Lone injury in the 54 accidents was neck pain reported by Randi Roberts, 23, Harrington, after she lost control of a 1999 Lexus while driving northbound on Highway 23 at 11:12 a.m. Nov. 24 about two and one-half miles north of St. John. The Lexus crossed the oncoming lane and rolled once down an embankment.