Van Destroys Art Studio on Seventh Avenue South and Commerce Street Updated February 15, 2012 3:39pm

A minivan jumped the curb and ran into an art studio on the corner of Seventh Avenue South and Commerce Street in the West Village. (DNAinfo/Tuan Nguyen)

By Tuan Nguyen and Mary Johnson

DNAinfo Staff

MANHATTAN — A minivan jumped a curb and slammed into a glass-walled art studio in the West Village on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

The exterior walls of the studio on Seventh Avenue South and Commerce Street were completely destroyed, as were several pieces of art created by the studio’s owner, Philip Mortillaro.

Mortillaro, 62, said he was not inside the building at the time of the accident but ran to the scene as soon as he heard the news.

“I don’t feel safe anymore at this place,” said Mortillaro, who has occupied the space for about a year. “They have this maniac turn here.”

Two people suffered minor injuries in the incident and were taken to Bellevue Hospital Center, a fire department spokesman said.

Mortillaro said he too could have been injured, had his son not stopped by to visit him.

"If he hadn't come, I would have been working and got hurt," Mortillaro said.

RELATED CONTENT

• Malachy the Pekingese Takes Best In Show at Westminster
• Fire Tears Through East Village Building
• Matt Damon, Star Jones and Joan Rivers Seen at Fashion Week
• Support Growing For New York to Get First Dominican Congressional District
• Men in Feminine Clothing Rock Fashion Week
• Downtown Saw Record 9.8 Million Tourists in 2011

By Mary Johnson, DNAinfo.com

Follow Mary on Twitter @mjohns422