Driver hospitalized after crashing into Gasquet Post Office

GASQUET, Calif. — The Gasquet Post Office is temporarily closed for repairs after a driver reportedly lost control on March 11 and crashed into the building.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Joshua Phillippi of Medford was driving along Highway 199 at 4 a.m. when he reportedly allowed his truck to drift into the southbound shoulder of the road. The truck, which was carrying mail from Medford, Oregon, then reportedly collided with a Pacific Power pole, a fire hydrant, the Gasquet Market and the Gasquest Post Office.

Phillippi was later transported to Sutter Coast Hospital with major injuries. In a statement, the U.S. Postal Service stated that no one was inside the building at the time of the crash.

With the office closed USPS has provided the Smith River Post Office, located at 291 N Fred Haight Dr., as an alternate location for retail and mail pick-up services. The Smith River Post Office is open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for pick-up services only.

Postal officials say that home mail delivery should be unaffected by the relocation.

No estimated date of reopening has been given at this time.