Firefighters say the driver jumped the curb along the Katy Freeway carrying a highway sign about 30 yards before her car crashed into the building and burst into flames.
It happened within seconds. When firefighters arrived, they found a mangled Jeep sports utility vehicle propped on a concrete post, partially inside the shopping center.
The vehicle was on fire and so was the building.
Minutes earlier, witnesses who heard the loud crash ran out and pulled the driver out of her burning SUV.
Police say there is a possibility the woman may have been drinking and driving.
The driver escaped the fiery crash without injuries, but left quite a mess behind. It was a shock for the building owner who drove up hours later.
"This is pretty dramatic," he said.
Though he just spent thousands remodeling the place, he can see something good in the mess.
"I'm glad the lady is alive."
The driver was arrested at the scene. No word on the charges she will face.
