WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. — On Monday, White Bear Dentists in White Bear Lake officially celebrated its reopening with a ceremony, food and meet-and-greet.
One of the owners and dentist, Dr. Colleen Holtz, was severely hurt when a semi-truck crashed into the building in December.
"It went through the break room and into the lobby," said Dr. Holtz who said it sounded like a bomb had went off. "My first thoughts are, I don’t want to die, and then making sure everyone else is OK."
There were also three patients in the building at the time, but none of them were hurt.
"Nothing can prepare you for that," said Holtz, who also got to meet some of the local first responders who were on scene that day.
They describe the truck careening off I-694, across White Bear Avenue and a drive-thru, as well as going up an embankment – all while narrowly avoiding any other people or vehicles at approximately 60 miles per hour.
It did significant damage to the building, causing the ceiling and walls to collapse onto the cab of the truck.
White Bear Lake Police say they're still investigating what caused the crash, but that alcohol and drugs are not a factor. The driver was also badly hurt.
"It’s a completely different outlook on life, like those little things don’t matter at all," said Dr. Holtz. "Family and friends is all what’s important."
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