Prospect Heights post office reopens 3 days after vehicle crashes into vestibule

Days after a vehicle crashed into the front of the Prospect Heights post office, customers can once again mail their letters and open their mailboxes there.

The post office reopened Monday afternoon, but its main entrance remains closed and customers can only enter through the side door.

The crash occurred about 2:30 p.m. Friday when a woman drove her vehicle through the front vestibule from the parking lot at 9 S. Elmhurst Road, Prospect Heights police said.

No one was hurt, and no arrests were made, Deputy Chief Mark Pufundt said.

Prospect Heights Director of Building and Development Dan Peterson said the building was closed over the weekend.

“You couldn’t even get the door open, because it was hit so hard. It just jammed everything,” he said.

The office was deemed safe to open Monday afternoon after a city inspection. Maximum occupancy has been reduced to keep patrons from the damaged area, however.

“They secured the area where the damage was and had a secondary access, so we allowed them to open up,” Peterson said.

Postmaster Matthew Taylor said customers who normally have around-the-clock access can only reach their boxes during regular business hours while the building is repaired. He said he hopes repairs can be completed within a week or two.

“They’re going to have to reconstruct the support column on their front vestibule,” Peterson said.

szalusky@dailyherald.com