The Wilson Post

The SUV crashed into The Jewelers on Thursday, Dec. 6, in Lebanon, Tenn.

A Tennessee man credited his newly adopted puppy with saving his life after an SUV smashed into his jewelry store this week.

Police said a 66-year-old man had a coughing fit and hit the accelerator instead of the brake pedal Thursday morning, sending his Ford Expedition speeding into the front of The Jewelers on West Main Street in Lebanon, Tenn. No one was seriously hurt, but the owner, Shawn Smith estimated that the crash caused tens of thousands of dollars of damage.

A witness, Tara Duncan of Lebanon, told The Wilson Post that the SUV flew right by her as she was entering her car to leave a store next door to The Jewelers.

"The vehicle never stopped," she said.

Smith told NBC station WSMV of Nashville that just beforehand, he'd been standing near where the SUV made its dramatic entrance.

"I adopted a puppy this morning," Smith said, but it began barking, so he decided to take it home. "It was literally just two minutes before.

"My puppy saved my life," he said.

WSMV: Vehicle crashes into Lebanon jewelry store

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Police ruled the incident an accident and said no charges would be filed.

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