Tennessee Driver Chokes on Coffee, Hits Building

A Knoxville, Tenn., man says his coffee went “down the wrong pipe” as he was driving to work and he crashed through a building.

Casper Martelli told the Knoxville News Sentinel his wife said it was the last cup of coffee he was getting. The 57-year-old Martelli wasn’t hurt in the Friday morning crash, but his sport utility vehicle was wrecked and the building he struck was shattered and moved about three inches off its foundation.

Martelli said he remembered choking on his coffee and then apparently passed out. He regained consciousness surrounded by dust in the middle of the building.

Asked if he was insured, Martelli cringed and said he didn’t think his agent was looking forward to talking to him.