JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A car drove into the Aspen Dental on Atlantic Boulevard just west of Kernan Boulevard on Monday morning. The Kia not only crashed into the lobby but continued through an interior wall and partially into a second room.
Jacksonville Fire-Rescue reported that two people were hurt, one seriously. News4Jax was told at least one of those hospitalized was a patient. JFRD said the driver was not injured.
Cookie Sistare said she had just finished getting X-rays when the car came through and ended up about one foot from her.
“We are both stepping out to go to another room and it came through,” Sistare said. “We thought it was like a cabinet falling over, the sound of it, and then, when you see it."
Kenyatta Richardson, who works next door at the Mattress Firm, saw the car before it crashed into the building.
“We actually seen her come around the building in the car and when she got around in front of the dental place, she was getting ready to park,” Richardson said. “Seconds later she just went through the wall.”
After calling 911, Richardson went out to see if she could help.
“We just kind of ran out to make sure that everyone was OK,” Richardson said. “The lady that was sitting in a chair like right beside where the car ran in, she couldn’t move.”
Police have not released any information about the driver or the cause of the accident.
Richardson said when she went out to help, the driver was still in her car and appeared to be shaken up.
“I think she was still stirred up a little bit because of what happened," Richardson said. “I think she realized what was going on so she kind of got a little bit emotional.”
The car was later towed away, but the office remained closed for the rest of the day.
Crews quickly began out sweeping up glass and assessing damage to the building.