“Smash It,” a rage room recently opened near downtown Cornelia, will remain closed for about three more weeks as the business continues to undergo repairs.
Part of the business was damaged when an SUV wrecked through structure’s front entrance on Sunday, Nov. 3, near the intersection of Irvin Street and Level Grove Road.
“Repairs will begin next week and hopefully nothing else goes wrong,” the business posted on Facebook Friday, Nov. 15. “Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out and offered to help in one way or another. We appreciate you. We’re sorry to everyone who had to miss their appointment and everyone that has tried to come smash, please come back and see us when we’re open.”
A rage room – also known as a smash or anger room – serves as a space where customers can pay to destroy objects as a form of stress relief or for recreation.
After the Nov. 3 accident, the driver of the SUV, Christian Drake Shurtleff, 33, of Mt. Airy, was shot by a Cornelia police officer during an alleged struggle at the scene. Authorities say Shurtleff became “uncooperative and combative” and “began to fight with the officer” before he was shot. Shurtleff was then taken to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
Shurtleff’s 7-year-old daughter, a passenger in the vehicle, was safely removed without injury.
The GBI, which is investigating the incident, has charged Shurtleff with felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer with other charges possibly pending. As a matter of routine, the GBI is asked to conduct independent investigations into officer-involved shootings.
