The bus first struck a tree, then careened into a service road before ramming into the side of the building on Eastern Parkway near Albany Avenue around 7:20 a.m., according to police and law enforcement sources.
Dramatic video showed the bus screech and send a puff of smoke into the air on impact. Video also showed masonry from the structure falling onto the bus, and photos showed the building’s facade was left in bad shape.
The 65-year-old man behind the wheel was unscathed and refused medical attention at the scene, authorities said. It was unclear where the driver was headed when he crashed.
The unidentified driver was initially hauled off in cuffs, but police confirmed several hours later that he would not be charged.
The cause of the collision remained unclear Thursday evening.