Alfa Insurance agent Hunt Hale is left filing his own insurance claim this week after a woman drove her SUV into his Clay Street office Sunday night.

Just before 9 p.m., the SUV reportedly struck a tree while traveling east on Clay Street before swerving into the building, doing extensive damage to the front portion of the office.

Hale, who said the office has been open less than a year after two years of preparing the building for business, added that work to fix the damage is already underway.

“We worked for two years and really saved that building before opening it in July of last year,” he said. “So we were just coming up on the one-year anniversary.”

Video footage from Hale’s office shows two Black females exiting the vehicle and fleeing on foot following the crash. One suspect was apprehended by the Vicksburg Police Department Sunday night. Arrest records show Trennisha Da’Shane Chargois was taken into custody by VPD Sunday night at 10 p.m. and charged with DUI (1st) with test; leaving the scene (property damage only); driving with expired or no license (1st) and no insurance (1st). 

Hale said, while he does not yet have a timeline for reopening the office, customers may reach him at the Amanda Ross Alfa Insurance agency located at 1980 South Frontage Road in the meantime.

“My phone system still works, so people can still call us at 601-262-1510 and it will go through to my secretary,” he said. “But we’ll be in that location until I get (the building) built back up and safe enough to reopen.”

Hale also said he is appreciative to both his company and his community for the help and outpouring of support he received following the accident. He said his own insurance claim was in the works within hours of the incident.

“I appreciate everyone checking on us and reaching out to help,” he said. “This is what you have insurance for. This is the reason we buy insurance and this is why we do what we do. I’m glad to know I’m with a company that will take care of me, whether I’m an agent or a customer. I’m proud to say I represent a company that takes pride in taking care of its customers.”

Hale said customers may also reach him on his cell phone at 601-218-9515.