Man faces charges after driving into ABC 7

A minivan crashed into a glass-walled TV studio during the 10 p.m. Sunday newscast, jarring the building and startling a weekend anchor delivering news.

No one was injured in the crash Sunday at ABC 7. The driver, Gerald Richardson, 25, was arrested Monday and charged with felony property damage. He was also cited for reckless driving and having no proof of insurance.

The crash was heard on the air and caused ABC 7 weekend anchor Ravi Baichwal to jump and shout "Ho!" as the van plowed into the studio's reinforced glass wall.

Nobody was injured by the crash, which occurred as dozens of people stood on the sidewalk watching the newscast.

The newscast continued, but a camera was turned to show viewers the damage to the outside of the reinforced glass wall, which ordinarily allows passers-by to look into the studio.

Police says the cause of the crash is unclear. Witnesses said the driver made a series of U-turns on State Street before crashing into the building.

There was no telephone listing for a Gerald Richardson in Evanston.